Why Does The Internet Today Feel Smaller, Different, and Uninspiring?

• Fading Freedom: The internet once thrived on natural interaction; Now, algorithms dictate our online experience.
• Soulful Web Lost: The once vibrant web has turned into a controlled, monotonous landscape driven by AI.
• Algorithms Control Us: What was once a space for human creativity has become a place where algorithms shape our every move and even our every thought.

Running TechPinas.com for more than 15 years has given me a front-row seat to the evolution of the internet. In the early days, I watched as humans—actual people with unique ideas—dictated trends, sharing content that was genuine, diverse, and often surprising. The web felt like a vast, open field where creativity could flourish without constraints. In those early days, starting my blog was about connecting with others over shared passions, not about appeasing an algorithm.

Back in the early 2000s, as a teenager deeply invested in the LiveJournal (LJ) community, I remember the internet as a wild, uncharted territory. It was a place where writing prowess and artistic endeavors were celebrated, and users connected based on shared interests, not through some AI push. The joy of discovering a blog, meeting another LJer in person, stumbling upon a thought-provoking post, or diving into a thread with strangers from across the globe felt pure and unscripted.

Over the years, I’ve seen the internet's open field shrink, fenced in by the invisible hands of algorithms that now control almost everything we see. What once felt like an organic space has turned into something far more orchestrated. As a technology blogger, it’s been disheartening to witness this shift—from a web driven by human interaction to one where AI and algorithms dictate our every click, view, and interaction.

I asked Dall-E to give an image of Algorithm manipulating humans on the internet and making us act like robots. Here's what it gave me.

From Organic to Orchestrated

This transformation wasn’t sudden; it was gradual, creeping in with the rise of social media platforms and the increasing reliance on AI to curate content. Initially, the internet felt like a place where you could plant your ideas, and if they resonated, they’d naturally grow. But today, that natural growth has been replaced by algorithm-driven visibility. If your content doesn’t fit within the algorithm’s parameters, it’s buried—no matter how valuable or innovative it may be.

The web, once a vibrant ecosystem of ideas, is now a carefully curated feed, optimized to keep us scrolling, clicking, and consuming. As The Guardian aptly put it, “Algorithms are turning humans into robots,” stripping away the organic interaction that made the internet feel alive. We’re no longer the creators of our own digital paths; instead, we’re puppets on strings, moved by the invisible hands of AI and algorithms.

The Rise of the Algorithm-Driven Web

The soul of the web has been lost in this transition. The Dead Internet Theory suggests that much of the internet is now populated by bots, automated content, and algorithmic manipulation. Whether or not you subscribe to the theory entirely, the core idea resonates: the internet isn’t as human as it used to be. You can watch the eye-opening Youtube video here:

Consider how platforms like Facebook and Instagram have evolved. In their early days, they were about genuine social connections. You saw posts from friends, family, and pages you followed. Today, however, your feed is dominated by content that algorithms predict you’ll engage with—often, it’s not even from people you know. This shift has created an echo chamber, where diversity of thought is drowned out by what’s trending or what the algorithm deems worthy.

As one article from The Conversation noted, “The web isn’t dead—it’s just that people aren’t really in control anymore.” The internet has become a place where our actions, interests, and even our thoughts are anticipated and manipulated by AI.

The Erosion of Online Freedom

This algorithm-driven world has profound implications. Where once the internet was a platform for free expression, now it’s a controlled environment where our voices are guided, if not silenced, by algorithms. This is more than just a technological shift; it’s a loss of digital freedom.

Remember when Google search results felt like an exploration? You’d find blogs, forums, and websites off the beaten path. Now, SEO optimization and Google’s algorithm have streamlined search results to a point where discovery feels less like an adventure and more like a choreographed journey. The Conversation observed that the true danger isn’t just bots or AI but “the extent to which these systems restrict our freedom by controlling what we see, hear, and know.”

The Human Cost of a Controlled Web

The most unsettling aspect of this shift is its impact on human behavior. We’ve become accustomed to a web where our interactions are guided by algorithms, and as a result, we’re beginning to act more like the machines that guide us. Creativity is stifled when every post, tweet, or video is optimized for engagement rather than expression. We now create content not because we’re passionate about it, but because it fits the mold that the algorithms reward.

The consequences of this are evident in the homogenization of online content. Every blog, video, or post starts to look and sound the same. The Guardian mentions how this “AI-run web” pushes us towards conformity, leading to a bland, soulless internet where genuine human interaction is rare.

Holding On to What’s Left

So, what’s next for the internet? Is there a way to reclaim the freedom and soul that made it so special in the first place? It’s difficult to say, but as a veteran of the web, I believe that there’s still hope. We can start by being more conscious of how we interact online—favoring human connections over algorithmic convenience. Support independent creators, seek out content that isn’t just trending, and remember that the internet’s true value lies in its diversity of thought and expression.

Internet companies, especially giants like Google and Facebook, have a significant role to play in this revival. By limiting the power of algorithms and allowing the natural flow of interactions, conversations, and discoveries to thrive, they can help restore the web’s original spirit. Imagine a platform where content isn’t just selected for its potential to go viral but because it adds value, sparks discussion, or simply brings joy. This approach could bring back the rich, human-driven internet we once knew.

The web may now be controlled by algorithms and AI, but we’re still human. As long as we remember that and push for platforms that prioritize genuine interaction over algorithmic manipulation, there’s still a chance to preserve the soul of the internet, even if it’s just in small corners of the vast digital landscape.