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Ask HN: Has the Internet Become a Burden?

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Re: Ask HN: Has the Internet Become a Burden?

#21

Post by quickthrower2 »

allthecybers wrote: post #13

I agree with your general point. It seems that every site I visit from my phone now demands I decline an offer for 10%-20% off where I am asked to share my email before proceeding. Unfortunately half the time it’s impossible to X out of it and I end up leaving that site in frustration. The other annoyance is trying to read an article and having a couple paragraphs of text broken up by an ad, then another two paragrap…

The internet where you spend money is the worst. Lots of SaaSy like practices everywhere, like forcing you to answer 100 questions FOR THEM NOT YOU before you can use a thing. Even Windows is now doing this on install. And all the things that pop up - cookie notices, email address collectors, ads, chatbots etc. Let alone all the tracking and so on that comes with it. And the slowness of such sites too, and inability to scroll or use on small screens like a full HD 14". Terrible.

Re: Ask HN: Has the Internet Become a Burden?

#22

Post by robswc »

I was happier when the internet was simpler… and I don’t think that’s rose tinted glasses either. Back when there wasn’t just 3-4 social networks and every community was pretty unique. Forums provided a framework for better discussions.

It seems everything or everyone on the internet is racing to be reduced into single bits of actions or attention.

A good example from the other day. I made the mistake of looking at twitter trends. Apparently “HES UGLY” and some other thing were trending because a famous YouTuber did a face reveal. I checked it out and he was just an average looking dude at worst. However, the tweets people made ranged from pure reactions of “distain” at best and legitimate racism and hatred at worst.

Seems things are operating on a “click -> run” basis and it is very tiring.

There are of course amazing things to come from the internet, good things everyday… but in general I just can’t say I’m a fan of the general direction.

I always hate voicing this opinion because it just seems like someone on their high horse but I just don’t see any other way to look at it. Interactions are getting less nuanced, content is getting byte-sized and things seem to be getting a mile wide but an inch deep.

Re: Ask HN: Has the Internet Become a Burden?

#23

Post by e56jie46judr »

p-e-w wrote: post #6

> Everything on the internet is monetized. From your clicks to selling you subscription. Everyone is trying to make a buck. That is categorically false. Wikipedia is the greatest collection of knowledge ever assembled. It puts the library of Alexandria to shame. And all of it was created by people who did not make a single buck from their efforts, nor were they trying to. The same can be said for the highly skilled p…

Highly debatable. Wikipedia is great and all sure but I think HN glorifies its role in society a little too much these days. Lots of people still use Wikipedia of course but Youtube eclipses it easily these days for most people I've found.

Re: Ask HN: Has the Internet Become a Burden?

#24

Post by DMell »

p-e-w wrote: post #18
DMell wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Wikipedia is the greatest collection of knowledge ever assembled. It puts the library of Alexandria to shame. And all of it was created by people who did not make a single buck from their efforts, nor were they trying to. I’m not trying to counter anything you have stated - in fact, I agree with the majority of it. I just wanted to share this: https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/29/18644158/north-face-wikip...

Right. Obviously, there are (a very small number of) people who try to abuse Wikipedia for their own gain. They are almost always identified quickly, and dealt with accordingly. But they are not the ones who "built Wikipedia". The ones that did never made a dime. If someone sticks an advertising poster to the front door of a human rights advocacy group's headquarters during the night, and the poster is removed the ne…

For clarity, that wasn’t my intention even of the slightest.

Re: Ask HN: Has the Internet Become a Burden?

#26

Post by Yaa101 »

robswc wrote: post #22

I was happier when the internet was simpler… and I don’t think that’s rose tinted glasses either. Back when there wasn’t just 3-4 social networks and every community was pretty unique. Forums provided a framework for better discussions. It seems everything or everyone on the internet is racing to be reduced into single bits of actions or attention. A good example from the other day. I made the mistake of looking at t…

I have been on for quite some time and yes, the early days were more exciting but the reason things are more dull is not only a commercial one.

A lot of things on here are boring just because nowadays they just work well, not a lot of stuff to improve.

Also things got boring because the common folk got online, most people are boring, where in the old days one could have a conversation with interesting professors or other people good at their job, nowadays the internet is a glorified "come see me how wonderful I am and how pretty my life is" egoistic echo chamber of totally uninteresting people.

Re: Ask HN: Has the Internet Become a Burden?

#30

Post by krapp »

bediger4000 wrote: post #2

Yes, it's a burden. It funnels money from the general public to already elaborately wealthy people and corporations. I can confirm that we were happier when the internet was simpler, and more fragmented.

>I can confirm that we were happier when the internet was simpler, and more fragmented.

Who is "we?" Speak for yourself.

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