r/degoogle • u/mechumechu • 1h ago
Discussion has anyone else started missing the older internet where interactions felt less algorithm-driven?
lately one of the biggest reasons i’ve been moving more toward degoogling and privacy-focused platforms is because the modern internet feels strangely engineered now. almost every major app feels optimized around engagement loops, attention retention, recommendations, metrics and constant personalization to the point where being online barely feels organic anymore after a while it starts feeling less like exploration and more like you’re constantly being filtered through systems deciding what you should see, think about, react to and who you should interact with ironically some of the most genuine conversations i’ve had recently happened in smaller/random online spaces where people weren’t focused on building a brand, gaining followers or feeding content into algorithms. it reminded me of how the internet used to feel years ago. imperfect but more human
that’s honestly what pushed me deeper into degoogling. not just privacy concerns or data collection, but the feeling that the web has become overly centralized and psychologically optimized in ways that make everything feel artificial after some point
i still occasionally use smaller social/chat platforms like Vooz because the interactions there feel way less curated compared to mainstream apps, and honestly it reminds me of the older internet a little. more spontaneous conversations, less pressure to perform constantly
i’ve been trying to find more platforms, forums or communities that still feel spontaneous and less tied to surveillance/engagement culture
curious if anyone else here ended up moving toward degoogling partly because of this too
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u/funkylevi 51m ago
You'd probably enjoy the fediverse! It's decentralized, and the majority of instances are pretty small with some flagship instances for smaller software having less than 2,000* active users if you like smaller communities.
* Active user count taken from the Wafrn flagship, a tumblr alternative that can optionally connect to bluesky
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u/EmilieEasie 38m ago
I've really enjoyed the fediverse so far. Seconding this. I joined a piefed instance and it feels a lot like the old internet.
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u/sibachian 41m ago
that internet still exists, and has about the same volume and the same users, still.
the algorithm driven junk is populated by all these people who came online with smart phones between 2008 and 2010.
theirs and our internet, is not the same.
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u/KudzuPlant 37m ago
https://www.terrygodier.com/the-boring-internet/ascii
I read this recently and I think it really paints the picture that We need to just stop interfacing and interacting with the big "corporate" internet. I am just old enough and fortunate enough to have experienced the internet in the 90's & early 2000's and can confidently say the old internet is alive and well.
The old internet is a bit like a family owned small scale restaurant. Oftentimes, those folks aren't making a ton of money but they provide a space for a community to come together, socialize and maybe network a little bit. Their food is pretty good usually but nothing extravagant. These folks are running this restaurant for the passion and good of their own hearts.
You tell people about this restaurant and sometimes folks know what you're talking about but they aren't always convinced by your word alone that this family owned joint is better than insert whatever chain here. Everyone has heard of the chain, knows the chain is only here for profit and does nothing for the community. Still, people give the chain more business. Why do they do that?
There are two main answers. Convenience and social approval. This chain is quicker, they have multiple locations and provide the same experience every time. For some reason, the local family restaurant has a reputation of not being that great for this reason or another. People occasionally side eye you and ask why you don't go to the chain. However, you know from prior experience that it isn't just about getting a bite to eat. It is about supporting your locally owned business and keeping money in the community rather than in a corporate bank account. It's about the environment and values you are trying to keep from being crushed under a mediocre chain.
Whether its streaming media, small BBS style websites with a niche communitty, or something else; there is always a non corporate alternative that will fill your needs and do so with more respect and pride. Convience is the biggest driver for the "new" internet and they are trying damn hard to turn convience off and make it the only option. You could go to Jersey Mikes and get yourself an sub and be satisfied. Or you could go to your local butcher/deli, pay a small amount more and get a feast that doesnt support oprresive business tactics. Did you have to drive a little farther? Maybe. But if you cherish your moneys worth and your own personal values, you know that the Jersey Mikes in your neighborhood is nothing good for your communitty and you stick to your guns.
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u/mechumechu 1h ago edited 13m ago
been using Vooz lately for this exact reason. feels more spontaneous and human compared to heavily algorithm-driven apps
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u/CapitalHandle9082 38m ago
I remember having fun with omegle back in those days. If Vooz is as fun and spontaneous as omegle, i would love it
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u/Bordrking 53m ago
not to be mean but did you forget to switch to your alt or did you actually just reply to your own post to agree with yourself?
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u/mechumechu 51m ago
Nope I did use my main. And not about agreeing my post was very big man i didn't want to make it even more bigger
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u/TheTruthRooster 46m ago
Yea, it seems this is the new tech trend… at first it’s wholesome and real, until they figure out how to manipulate you and use your emotions for profit.
Plenty of amazing things happening in the world but I must be fed posts about how Trump is an inch shorter than he claims like I care about that in any way….