I have a theory and why the internet is the way it is. It's because it's mainstream. It used to be "better" (as some would put it) because it was niche. Only the passionate and the interested were on it. Nowadays everybody and their grandma is on a social network... literally. Stands to reason the space would "devolve". Why? Because of what Carlin once said (paraphrasing): Imagine how stupid the average person is. Now realize half of the world is even dumber than that.
Most of the complaints here were basically about human behavior on the internet. If it were complaints about actual technical problems or engineering problems related to the internet, I'd get it. I mean, you could argue that Facebook being a walled garden is actually a structural problem of the internet, but really, it isn't. The internet hasn't fundamentally technically changed. You can reach content outside of those silos if you want and search for it (i.e. you're actually interested), but guess what? People don't want to leave that walled garden. They want stupid videos, recycled quotes and propaganda. Propaganda is soothing. Searching outside of your silo would run you the risk of finding conflicting opinions, or God forbid, conflicting evidence.
The internet is "worse" today then it was some years ago because more and more dumb, ignorant and uninterested people are on it. Which is to say the internet now more resembles the real world then it did long ago, when it more resembled a (somewhat) private club for more interested and passionate, educated people.
The way I see it, the world has always been full of dumb people who screw it up for everyone. The internet just makes it much easier to see.
So I don't have an aversion. I understand the frustration as well, I just find complaining about it risible. Given that complaining identifies the problem and nudges people towards a solution, how do you cure mediocrity and stupidity?
P.S. When you have a chance, check out "The basic laws of human stupidity" by Carlo M. Cipolla. It's a 15 minute read and well worth it. You'll get a better understanding of where I come from.
Most of the complaints here were basically about human behavior on the internet. If it were complaints about actual technical problems or engineering problems related to the internet, I'd get it. I mean, you could argue that Facebook being a walled garden is actually a structural problem of the internet, but really, it isn't. The internet hasn't fundamentally technically changed. You can reach content outside of those silos if you want and search for it (i.e. you're actually interested), but guess what? People don't want to leave that walled garden. They want stupid videos, recycled quotes and propaganda. Propaganda is soothing. Searching outside of your silo would run you the risk of finding conflicting opinions, or God forbid, conflicting evidence.
The internet is "worse" today then it was some years ago because more and more dumb, ignorant and uninterested people are on it. Which is to say the internet now more resembles the real world then it did long ago, when it more resembled a (somewhat) private club for more interested and passionate, educated people.
The way I see it, the world has always been full of dumb people who screw it up for everyone. The internet just makes it much easier to see.
So I don't have an aversion. I understand the frustration as well, I just find complaining about it risible. Given that complaining identifies the problem and nudges people towards a solution, how do you cure mediocrity and stupidity?
P.S. When you have a chance, check out "The basic laws of human stupidity" by Carlo M. Cipolla. It's a 15 minute read and well worth it. You'll get a better understanding of where I come from.