If AOL didn't exist, something else would have killed this fragile defense-less network.
Ah, but then I would have hated that thing, instead.
An appropriate comment in this, the month of September.
It is _always_ September after AOL. Eternally even. ;-)
AOL's Usenet client was a terrible hack too. It barely worked. They also tried really hard to filter out the porn and warez which was ultimately futile.
Somebody had to discover the outrage-engagement feedback loop. It's a law of nature.