Dear Rivi:
I have been thinking a lot recently about how much more enjoyable the Internet was back in the old days. I know, I know: hardly an original observation. Still, it’s been very much on my mind. Remember when it took five minutes to download a photo? On dial-up? Remember when there wasn’t any streaming music, let alone streaming video? Remember when the way people communicated was generally all text-based, either in chat rooms or BBSs?
I’m telling you, Rivi, we didn’t know how good we had it.
So that brings me to where my head is at today. I have been spending the past few days hunting around people’s blogs, partying like it’s 1999, and hey: apparently, people still make blogs! It’s fucking refreshing to see people writing, posting photos, talking about music, doing all that old school blogging stuff. I’ve read from people dealing with loss of spouses, gardening, raising farm animals. I’ve seen people making fractal art and pen drawings and watercolors. I’ve heard about new garage bands and deep philosophical musings.
It’s so nice, Rivi.
I spent a few hours over the past week following links on blogrolls. Remember those? Just lists on someone’s site linking to all the other blogs that they like to visit. No algorithm. No spending money to raise your visibility on a corporate site. Just people suggesting other people because they like what is being put out into the world.
So I think I’m going to do a little work on my ancient website here, and maybe put a little more old school into it. I liked when the Internet was more DIY, and more personal. Back then, there was a vibe to it that we all grooved to. It was more personal, and more about communicating than making yourself a brand. It was more about people, and less about products. It was exciting and fun, and I think I want to try to bring some of that back into the world.
What do you think? Since going forward in time seems to just lead to more and more end-stage capitalism, how about going backwards for a while (and no, not in a political sort of way, because hoo boy nope)?
Fuck it.
Let’s turn this car around, what do you say?
Vroom vroom.
Love,
Sebastian