My nostalgia for early internet: My thoughts on the early internet, particularly the 1990s and 200s.
Every student in the third grade was obsessed with a website called Fantage. We made characters, engaged in minigames, and spoke with friends in an online game. Fantage seemed to be an after-class hangout and part of our school experience. I had a lot of fun creating my own avatar and exploring the colorful universe. There was a unique, creative energy to the early internet, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. Sites like Fantage were intimate and full of discovery, in contrast to the polished, uncaring platforms of today. Even though Fantage is no longer with us, I still find joy in the memories of that carefree, DIY online period
My first internet experience: Strengthened our bonds.
My sister's introduction to online gaming is one of my first memories of the internet. One afternoon when I was around six or seven, my sister pulled me over to the family computer because she was already acquainted with the digital world. She excitedly put in a web address, and after a little delay, a vibrant, animated page with lots of games loaded. She showed me how to play a simple game first, which involved matching colors or shapes. The wonder of it all by clicking the mouse, watching the screen react, and hearing my sister cheer me captivated me. Soon, we made it a daily routine in which we would take turns, laugh, and play together. Not only were those early internet games entertaining, but they also strengthened our bonds.
My critique of the modern internet: Only profit.
The modern internet is increasingly dominated by corporate interests, which prioritize profit over creativity. Early web experiences are diverse and DIY, but now companies like Facebook and Instagram rely on polished, algorithm-driven content to increase ad income. This trend has taken away privacy and uniqueness, making the internet a less active experience. We should empower independent artists and advocate for a more open, decentralized online that encourages true expression and innovation. Supporting independent artists and pushing for a more distributed internet could help bring back some of that early web spirit and foster genuine expression and innovation.It's an essential way to find to balance corporate interests with individual creativity and community values.
The impermanence of Digital Media: Content disappearing.
Digital content is often temporary. Websites can shut down, and data can be lost, making it easy for online posts to disappear. Many people think that what we post online lasts forever, but this isn’t true. Unlike physical records, digital content can vanish quickly, erasing personal and cultural history. It’s important to understand this and work on better ways to preserve our digital past. It can be very crucial for persevering personal culture and histories and developing effective archiving methods. I agree that the internet, driven by profit motives and fast technological changes, often results in the loss of valuable digital content. While we’re frequently reminded of the permanence of online posts, the reality is that websites and digital content can disappear suddenly, leading to a loss of cultural and personal history. This impermanence is often overshadowed by business concerns rather than the significance of the lost material.
My Reflections on learning and insights: information and insights on other users on the web and stories.
This reading provided me with valuable perspectives on others' first experiences with the web, highlighting the excitement and challenges they faced. I found it particularly interesting to learn about their thoughts on how today's web has evolved in terms of accessibility and complexity. While the web has undeniably changed, with advancements in technology and design, there's also a sense that some aspects may not be permanent. These reflections offered a deeper understanding of the web's ongoing transformation and its impact on users over time.