Clearly they have never been on Stacker News.

It's so true, I feel the same way about social media, and with search just either pushing the highest bidder or the site that is monetised through Google display it really is all curated for maximum profit and minimum utility and enjoyment

those that get enjoyment from the current social media apps are all about consumption, they don't really care too much about the content, but rather the act of consuming and passing time is all that they are there for.

I find my internet use has dropped considerably, I don't want to contribute to those sites any longer, I don't want to hear people tell me about the latest tiktok video or trend, its so mundane

But like the author says, the internet is what you make of it, switch your search engine, fuck around on nostr and curate your own experience

This article is mostly about social media and legacy media. The internet is far bigger than those things.

In my opinion most of the fun is sucked out by government propaganda.

Also, this article is not fun at all and it's contributing to the very thing it claims is making the internet not fun anymore.

Man needs to raise his blood sugar with a nice tasty SNack ⚡️

ChatGPT TLDR:

The article "Why the Internet Isn't Fun Anymore" from The New Yorker discusses the decline in the enjoyment and utility of major online platforms. It focuses on how platforms like Twitter (referred to as "X" in the text), under Elon Musk's ownership, have become dominated by paid, blue-check users often spreading far-right views and disinformation. The algorithm promotes these posts, suppressing more diverse content. The decline is also evident in the spread of fake news and mislabeled videos.

The article notes similar issues with other platforms. Instagram's feed is now filled with old posts and ads, Google searches are cluttered, and Facebook's parent company, Meta, is introducing artificial-intelligence chatbots with gimmicky personalities. These developments point to a larger trend: the Internet becoming less about human interaction and more about passive consumption and commercial interests.

The author reflects on the earlier days of the Internet, which was more open and spontaneous, offering diverse and engaging content. This change is attributed to a few large social networks centralizing online experiences. As these platforms change or decline, like Twitter under Musk, there's no comparable alternative for users.

The article also discusses the shift in social media dynamics, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch resembling broadcast stations rather than spaces for interactive communication. The rise of video-based platforms and the blending of physical and digital lives have increased the pressure to conform and perform, discouraging casual posting.

Finally, the article touches on how lifestyle changes, like remote work, have reduced idle online exploration. The decline in organic referrals to news sites from social media further impacts the diversity of content. The author nostalgically recalls the enjoyment of simpler online activities, like playing Flash games on sites like Orisinal, contrasting it with the current, less satisfying state of major social networks.