The Internet has become more convenient and commodified than it once was. The Wild West that once gave users unparalleled access to the world is now largely insubstantial, filled with advertising and subscription fees.
Apps and websites hold our hands with algorithms designed to keep us attached and constantly provide us with random content to elicit a response. But not everything on the Internet is like this. There are still independent websites and communities that are worthy of attention that are not algorithmic or commercialized.
We need to take back control over our internet usage and move away from websites whose sole purpose is to make money from their users. Take a moment to step away from your phone, get on your laptop, and explore what the internet has to offer.
Social media is not a bad word. Essentially, it is a type of site where users can interact by sharing content such as information, messages, photos and videos. Although many sites fall into this category, the term has been contaminated by apps like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (now called X), and Reddit.
However, there are still many websites that descend from the early pages of the Internet and function as simple boards or forums where users can control the content. Develop around what your user base demands, rather than optimizing to hook your users.
The pace of these sites is much slower, allowing ideas and discussions to develop and evolve as more users participate. The lack of algorithms allows creators to produce quality content for their audience rather than the platform they publish on.
Teanna Rizkala, vice president of business communications at California State University, Fullerton, spends a lot of time in online communities and has watched the Internet consolidate into a small number of websites with large user bases. Ta.
“It’s like being in the playground instead of being at school.” [in graduate school]” Rizkala said. “In graduate school, you’re surrounded by people just like you, and you’re interested in the same things. But in the schoolyard, you’re all yelling at each other because your interests are different.”
The Internet is a tool that users should appreciate, not something that companies can take over as just a source of income. It can be a place for people to gather and share information to solve problems, without the groundless arguments that only increase engagement, which is common with popular apps.
Kevin Aguilar, vice president of CSUF’s Society for Computing Machinery SIGGRAPH chapter, notes that social media can often be overwhelming and exhausting, with little motivation to explore new sites.
“When people are overwhelmed with all the information every day and overwhelmed by Instagram, it reduces the motivation for people to explore other spaces,” Aguilar said.
Finding people with common interests is one of the main ways to form a community, joined by an interest in games, series, movies, or anything else that sparks discussion. But forums and chat rooms aren’t just for media; they can also be for life advice, cooking skills, and many other hobbies.
The fun part is the specificity of the site. You can spend hours searching for a niche topic in a community dedicated to that topic. While popular social media sites suggest a community but are too dispersed to function, these forums are direct communication between parties who can contribute in a stable thread.
We have moved to increasingly homogenized platforms, with the same creators serving the same content with the same algorithms. A simple website provides a solution by focusing on, growing and developing specific interests rather than catering to everyone all the time.
Healthy communities can be found online. All you need is effort and time to put into it. It starts with moving away from algorithmic platforms in favor of a more user-driven, “Wild West” attitude.
They should be encouraged to leave the large platforms and allow themselves to create their own corner on the internet. When our worlds inevitably collide face-to-face, developing individual ideas can create more fruitful conversations.
So if you’re going to spend your time online without touching your lawn, stay away from apps and sites that try to exploit you for ad revenue. Let’s explore the digital world!
