I watched this video a few months ago that described what the internet used to be before the invention of the ‘digital town square’ ie. the social media internet. It describes the old internet as a vast network of small villages, with each village having communities of people who share common beliefs and interests. This idea has stuck with me since. The simplicity of it. Watch Kurzgesagt’s video here:
Credits: The Internet is Worse Than Ever – Now What? By Kurzgesagt
As we all know, humans are creatures that have lived in groups and communities as far back as recorded history tells us. Those with others around them were much more likely to survive than those who ventured alone. Our brains have been wired this way for millennia and in this way, we still seek out a sense of belonging and acceptance as a means of survival. Unfortunately, these instincts have been tapped into by those who prioritise money over humanity. Not looking at anyone in particular…
This idea of community seems to be lost on the internet we know today. Sure the big corporations will sell their platforms as community hubs for you and your friends but if my neighbour was making money off of me chatting to people in my community or if I wanted to tell my neighbour something but some stranger stood in my way and told me “you have to eat these cookies first” or “you NEED to try this radioactive slimming oat milk” I’d perhaps question if this community is the place to be; how can I “log off”?
When reflecting on the timeline of the internet, we discover what was once reality is now a utopian ideal. How can this happen? If we want a better internet for the future, we need to look back at the past.
The Metas and Twitters aren’t going to disappear anytime soon unfortunately nor will they change for the better with the record-bashing profit levels they are making, but as individual ‘internet citizens’, there are some things we can do to help ourselves and help each other:
- Respect Others: Treat people online with kindness and empathy.
- Think Before You Post: Consider the impact of your words and actions on others. Be mindful of your digital footprint.
- Protect Your Privacy: Be cautious about sharing personal information online.
- Verify Information: Check the accuracy of content before sharing it.
- Contribute Positively: Engage in meaningful discussions and support others online.
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all” – A famous rabbit in a tragic movie
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