The Internet isn't cool anymore

Summary

In this reflective video, Jared explores the decline of the internet from its early, authentic days to the algorithm-driven, corporate-dominated landscape of today. He critiques the pressures on creators to conform to engagement metrics, causing burnout and artistic compromises. Offering a solution, Jared advocates for supporting creators directly, rejecting algorithmic curation, and embracing decentralized communities. With a mix of humor, nostalgia, and personal anecdotes, the video calls for a return to an internet focused on creativity, independence, and genuine connections, while acknowledging the challenges of change in an increasingly commercialized digital world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The internet has shifted from a space of authentic, creator-driven content to one dominated by algorithms and corporate interests.
• 😀 Nostalgia for the early 2000s internet is a common sentiment, but it’s important to recognize that even then, there were flaws in the system.
• 😀 Algorithms, especially after 2010, have driven engagement over originality and creativity, creating a system where creators must cater to the algorithm rather than their artistic instincts.
• 😀 Corporate interests have infiltrated digital spaces, making platforms monopolistic and detrimental to creators, who often face burnout and financial instability.
• 😀 The internet’s 'coolness' in the 2000s was partly due to the fact that content was authentic and not driven by commercial interests or engagement metrics.
• 😀 Despite the flaws of the early internet, the root causes of the modern internet's problems lie in engagement-driven algorithms and corporate monopolies.
• 😀 Creators today are often forced to make artistic compromises due to the pressure of optimizing for algorithms and corporate expectations.
• 😀 Direct financial support for creators, such as crowdfunding through platforms like Patreon and Kickstarter, can help sustain creative work outside of corporate control.
• 😀 The rejection of algorithmic curation could lead to a more authentic and meaningful internet experience, though this shift would be difficult to achieve.
• 😀 Embracing decentralized communities, where creators and users directly curate and share content, is seen as a potential solution to the algorithmic dominance in digital spaces.
• 😀 The internet’s future requires a collective effort to move away from corporate-controlled platforms and focus on supporting creators, rejecting algorithmic curation, and fostering more decentralized networks.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the current state of the internet according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that the internet has become dominated by algorithmic curation and corporate interests, leading to a lack of authenticity and creativity. Content is increasingly designed to maximize engagement rather than prioritize quality, which has led to a decline in the overall experience.

How did algorithmic curation change the way we experience content on the internet?

Algorithmic curation shifted from helping users find relevant content to prioritizing engagement at all costs. This means that creators are forced to produce content that generates clicks and reactions, rather than content that reflects their authentic creativity.

What role do corporations play in the decline of internet culture, as described in the video?

Corporations have turned digital platforms into monopolies, focusing on maximizing profits rather than supporting independent creators. This corporate infiltration forces creators to compromise their artistic integrity, while platforms take a significant cut of the revenue generated.

What does the speaker suggest is the root cause of the 'bad' internet?

The root causes are algorithmic curation driven by engagement metrics and the corporate control of digital spaces. These two factors have led to the prioritization of profit over creativity and quality content.

What is the 'good stuff' the speaker refers to, and how can we support it?

The 'good stuff' refers to authentic, high-quality content created by independent creators. To support it, the speaker suggests directly funding creators through platforms that give creators a fair share of the profits, such as Patreon or Bandcamp, and avoiding systems that take large cuts from creators.

Why does the speaker claim that 'nostalgia' for the early internet may be misleading?

The speaker acknowledges that the internet in its early days was rough around the edges and not as perfect as some may remember. While there was creativity and authenticity, there were also issues like poor social skills and brain rot. However, the internet of today is more controlled and corporate, which is the main difference.

What does the speaker mean by 'rejecting algorithmic curation'?

Rejecting algorithmic curation means taking control of what content you consume by curating your own feed, rather than relying on algorithms that prioritize engagement. This can involve manually selecting subscriptions and using third-party tools to avoid algorithm-driven content.

What is the speaker's stance on monetization platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon?

The speaker acknowledges that platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon provide opportunities for creators to fund their work directly, but he criticizes them for taking significant cuts of the money raised. He advocates for platforms that provide 100% of the profits to creators as a better alternative.

Why does the speaker think that supporting decentralized communities is important?

Decentralized communities allow for more authentic, human-driven interactions and reduce the reliance on algorithms and corporate-controlled spaces. By engaging with these communities, users can rediscover real connections and avoid being manipulated by bots and algorithms.

What is the speaker's ultimate vision for the future of the internet?

The speaker envisions an internet where creators can thrive without being controlled by algorithms or corporate interests. He advocates for a more creator-centric model where content is prioritized for its quality and authenticity, and where users actively support creators rather than passively consuming algorithmic-driven content.