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.
![Algorithm Controlling Humans on The Internet](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSydQysfhT3CjZ7hSC_twZhqCvCzI8TvKLa0fkGlaAdfLhWolUQJZqOX6NXfVxLBvzjwqxA0hoC5HiFWiLGtO7RY6AqfPTUOZW_y7pRmwwfuSwEHjzarS4Uca691is-8RdPPtJFpE9nXrouI6jAK5uKusegXQmpxUhc7zOTq9uMtfzUvhFSrTF_pkQ_FV0/s16000/Internet%20a.png)
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.
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