Would you say the internet is dead?

[Gigabyte Computer Solutions]

Do I think the internet is dead?
Yeah, honestly… I think it kinda is. Not in the sense that it’s completely gone or unusable — obviously, we’re still here, scrolling, searching, and posting — but the spirit of the “old internet” feels long gone.

Remember when the internet felt like a wild, open playground? When forums, niche blogs, and personal websites were run by real people sharing their thoughts, not brands optimizing for SEO or AI-generated content flooding every search result?

That era — let’s say around 2005 to 2015 — felt alive, messy, and real. You’d stumble on random blogs, weird websites, personal projects. It felt like an adventure. That version of the internet died sometime after 2016, in my opinion.

Here’s what killed it: The Internet I mean

Everything moved to 4 or 5 platforms. Instead of surfing the web, we’re just rotating between TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter (X), and Reddit. We’re locked in echo chambers and algorithm bubbles.

The content we see isn’t what’s most thoughtful or interesting — it’s what keeps us scrolling. Viral wins over valuable. Sensationalism over substance.

Google feels like it’s showing you what advertisers want you to see, not what’s genuinely useful. Even Reddit and Quora are filled with clickbait or AI-spun posts. ( Who know’s this post might be AI Spun too)

Creativity Got Replaced with Monetization: People no longer make content for fun or expression — it’s all about growth hacks, side hustles, and becoming “a brand.” That authenticity? Fading fast.

So yeah, the internet still functions, but the soul of it? The raw, human, exploratory side? It died slowly, and I’d say the nail in the coffin was probably around 2018–2020, when everything got overtaken by influencers, sponsored content, and engagement farming.

I still use the internet every day — but I miss what it used to feel like.

Would you say you’ve noticed this change too?

[Author]

Posts