A sad state of affairs, but it was predicted decades ago that commercial interests would turn the internet into what it is today, even without AI. Layer on the dead internet theory slowly coming true, and walled gardens almost feel like the last bastion of free internet, rather than being what brought it to an end.
There's probably some nuance there, maybe the walled gardens allowed us to be comfortable letting it get this bad. Either way, what's gone is gone.
I am getting a lot of joy from local net and just making little devices at home, that is giving me the same excitement that the web did in the past!
Started my career as a web developer and always have a soft spot for it but from a hobby developer standpoint hosting and deploying a site feels like an uphill battle with little upside.
Theres a lot to not like about app development but after you get approval for your app it's pretty hands off.
Heck on android you can just distribute the raw APK on a Google drive. Or just keep the app locally for yourself.
I probably have about 20 self made apps on my phone and they each give me a bit of happiness.
For about a year, after which point both Apple and Google will arbitrarily remove your app from stores for not keeping up with the platform update treadmill.
Keep up with platform updates or constantly deal with the afformentioned crawlers and hugs of death.