Welcome to the era of Web 1.0 revival! It’s time to leave behind the algorithms and bring back a web of people. The decline of Google Search, the deterioration of Twitter, the pollution of the open web by AI, and the annoying login prompts mark the end of the Web 2.0 era.
Web 2.0 was characterized by the intermediation of algorithmic interactions, making it easier for content to go viral. Before social media, becoming famous online required real people to pass your content along via email or chat. However, platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and later TikTok made it effortless for anyone to gain instant fame. Algorithms played a key role in making content findable, which was the original purpose of Google. Suddenly, being online became more accessible than ever before.
Web 2.0 brought several advantages, making the internet more user-friendly for the average person. With the rise of mobile phones, platforms like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, Diaryland, and LiveJournal gained popularity because they eliminated the need for coding skills to create websites. Initially, these platforms had few ads, which made the experience much better compared to the regular web, plagued by pop-ups and banner ads.
As social media experiences convulsions, it’s time to address the Too Online sickos out there. Despite the web’s current appearance resembling a Blade Runner hellscape, we already know how to build and moderate online communities. Many of us have been doing it for a long time and have gained extensive experience in various online communities. With more people online than ever before, possessing rudimentary skills necessary for online engagement, it might be time to scale up our efforts.
If Google is deteriorating, let’s bring back the webring. If broadcasting to the entire world feels suffocating, embrace group chat instead. Building your own website has never been easier, even without in-depth coding knowledge. There is undoubtedly a shift happening in the digital landscape, and it’s unclear how it will play out. Moving toward group chats on platforms like Discord, iMessage, Telegram, and WhatsApp feels like a return to the old days of messaging and chat rooms.
Building a business as a content creator on platforms you don’t own has its downsides. You become reliant on the platform’s algorithm, having to constantly adapt to its changing whims. What benefits Google or Facebook may not align with your goals. The current shift in online dynamics raises questions about the future and where it’s headed. Platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky are niche alternatives, and it seems like Reddit is pushing for its own transformation.
Observing Silicon Valley has taught us that coding is accessible to anyone willing to learn. Numerous free online resources are available, and if you’re spending less time on social media, you probably have more free time to invest in learning new skills.
Contrary to the cyberpunk novels of old, the real world remains vibrant while the web seems to resemble the dystopian sets of Blade Runner. Outside of our small online communities, the web feels empty and desolate. Instead of chasing VR headsets or venturing into the world of crypto with Web3, we can revamp the internet by going rogue. Many of us already know how to do it, as evident from the emails I receive from oldheads who have taken the plunge. The time is ripe to pass on the old ways of the internet to the newcomers and teach them the true magic of online connectivity.
Major corporations may have taken over the web, but that doesn’t mean they can keep it. While there will always be casual users who remain on the surface, the true online enthusiasts have the power to create something they truly desire. Now is the perfect moment to make it happen. Many of you have already succeeded in doing so, and it’s time to teach the algorithmic generation the old ways because you were there when it all began.
In conclusion, it’s time to say goodbye to Web 2.0 and embrace a revival of Web 1.0. Let’s bring back the human element and reclaim the internet from the grasp of algorithms and corporate interests. By scaling our efforts, building resilient communities, and teaching the next generation the true magic of the internet, we can shape a web that is vibrant, human-centric, and free from the shackles of intermediation.
