Something a little different from me today, but I've been thinking about it for a while now.
I am a millenial, and back from when I was about 12yo, I've been spending an ungodly amount of hours online, thanks to my dad giving me one of his old work laptops and unlimited internet access.
Today, the only place that vaguely brings me back to those days of pure freedom (was it more dangerous? maybe but since most people couldn't even show their faces online even if they wanted to, it was kinda fine) is Tumblr. And if it wasn't for tumblr, we'd probably meet on obscure forums.
I was an avid redditor for about 10 years but it's unbearable these days, it's mostly AI, bots, and snark subreddits (don't get me started on the rampant zionism).
I feel that Internet has been stolen from us. After Web 2.0, it was the social media era and everything has been stolen by Meta and the likes. You're not allowed to exist online without being subjected to The Algorithm, that's not made to give you content you want but just to sell you things (products, ideas).
So yes, going back to the old ways (let's not even mention AO3 and the OTW that I will admire and respect forever), with no fucking stupid Algorithm, proper tagging and a block button being used liberally has been really life changing for me, in terms of enjoying being online again.
Now, I unfortunately use this new power for the worst of the worst, which is RPF. Devil's sacrament, and all that. All that to say, no one is making me leave, and no one should make you leave either. It's our space, all of us. And I fully support anyone coming on here to be their weird self, even if it's on tags and ships that make me laugh a little. It's all fine! Nothing is that serious! Just stay the fuck out of my inbox.
vaporwave
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
pixelskylines
turnnoffyourmind
snowghoul
blakekathryn
gamechangershow
ellievsbear
