The fun has been optimized out of the Internet

Post by soopypoos » Tue, May 05, 2026, 4:01 PM UTC

neilwilson wrote: post #26

functionmouse wrote: post #2

I agree, but it's been said by all... make homebrew software for an old Nintendo console pick up cross stitching or weaving make an independent film with a friend; use stuff from your kitchen as props find a borderline functional instrument at your local thrift store write a 1 page short story in pen it's not enough anymore to merely criticize this bad time we're having

Or just make homebrew. It’s amazing how good just fermenting juice from the supermarket with a bit of added sugar can be. It teaches patience and the blip blop of an airlock is a terrifically calming way to mark the passage of time.

Post by apsurd » Tue, May 05, 2026, 4:03 PM UTC

clickety_clack wrote: post #157

munificent wrote: post #53

I have a pet theory that much of what we're seeing culturally is that the 90s and early 2000s (at least in the US) was a window of time that offered a sense of safety and surplus. 9/11 was extremely culturally disruptive, but aside from that, for many in the US, it felt like there was "enough to go around". That environment breeds a lot of creativity, innovation, whimsy, and doing things for their own sake. But that…

If you feel that way then you have to question what it is that you’re doing that puts you in a place where you are made to feel that way. Many people (most that I know) don’t feel that way. It may be the online communities that you are in or the news you consume, and the great news about that is that is stuff that is not only optional; you choose to consume it. You can just stop consuming it.

Post by jonathanstrange » Tue, May 05, 2026, 4:04 PM UTC

joe_mamba wrote: post #116

yifanl wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Realizing that the average CS graduate can't expect to make 100k on a career of centering divs has been more disruptive to the the American psyche than 9/11.

It's not the end of the world though. Not everyone has to be a CS graduate. There's other professions out there.

Post by Finnucane » Tue, May 05, 2026, 4:05 PM UTC

RRRA wrote: post #123

If you think the 2000s were special, try going back to the 90s when you could finish browsing the web! :P

Post by geodel » Tue, May 05, 2026, 4:05 PM UTC

ModernMech wrote: post #82

armchairhacker wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How did they in the 1990s/2000s/2010s?

Flea markets. Lol but I went to a flea market the other day with $100 thinking that was going to go far — I managed to buy one jacket for $80. So… I dunno.