was just pictures of food
and like a cool bridge?
but then again I remember
when celebs who sold out
were essentially shunned.
we are past the point
of no returns,
even if you have the proverbial receipt.
The early web let people create, remix, link and exist outwards.
The modern web traps us in ourselves
(and not our real selves, rather think of a voodoo doll version of you with pins in it).
Engagement’s rewarded.
Vulnerability’s commodified.
Intimacy’s filtered through analytics dashboards.
We used to show up online because we wanted to.
Now we show up because we have to.
For relevance, reach…
Connection that isn’t actually connection
but a ghost-echo of it,
an algorithm-approved simulation.
What used to be playful — think tumblr moodboards at 2 a.m.,
long messy comment threads, ugly fonts and beautiful friendships —
became professionalized…monetized…and now, frankly, weaponized.