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I'm so tired of the current state of the internet
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this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2023
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In the german reddit and lemmy we circle jerk about the forums of old, because of their toxic culture. E.g. things like "use the search function, this has been answered a thousand times" "just google it" "you didn't provide the exact specs of your computer, even if it is just a software issue" and so on.
I think it was easier back then, because we did not have the huge networks like facebook or youtube, where there is no sense of community. But you still had to finde the nice communities and the vileness was always there. It was just easier to steer clear from
It made interactions easily available and there is no "need" to preserve etiquette, because there is no accountability to the community. I also have the feeling that the modern internet, smartphones and strong hardware made people too entitled to things just working and being available at every moment. So we develop back to being toddlers that are quicker to throw a tantrum.
I feel like as a gamer the older internet communities were heavily influenced by abrasive and antisocial gamers and message boards like 4chan and something awful were sort of like a bottom layer of internet forums. The big message boards where like a level 0 of internet memes and culture that would then float up to the more mainstream layers of the internet.
The late 90s and 00s were also just an edgy time for "edgy" humor and edgy behavior and boundary pushing behavior and while some had a talent for towing the line while still being funny or thoughtful, we're talking a younger internet driven by mostly teens, tweens, and socially awkward young adults so we get the standard newgrounds flash video.
There were also small close knit communities of friends from around the world and happy parts of the internet, and more wholesome spaces, but the poison was already floating around the water in the well even before algorithms and bots were introduced to further enhance the churn and toxic behavior.
I think a good example of this is message board discussion on gamefaqs in the 00s. A few steps above 4chan in terms of attitude the Next Gen Gaming board was mostly just trolls trolling trolls and people arguing in bad faith. The general style of argument would be to quote and reply like every sentence in your post instead of just having like a good faith discussion.
damn do you remember Albino Black Sheep?
Those forums are how I eventually ended up on 4chan back in the day.
Thats a name I havent thought of in some time. I remember it more for its flash games and videos though I never browsed the forums.
Right? Every now and then I find someone who remembers but most people don't remember the forums. I was super active on the forums there back in the day.