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yes, very much so. libera.chat is alive and well.

Yup.

I'm still connected to EFnet 24/7. mIRC still gets updates and is still running from the same old code base, so it's ridiculously lightweight by today's software standards. Wouldn't be surprised if the latest versions still run on Windows 95.

Slack is basically IRC-as-a-service, complete with modern (janky) web UI and gifs (since they haven't yet figured out how to sell a tiktok-style feed)

Slack it's more bound to Jabber than IRC.

IRC = public stuff, tech stuff, hackers. Yes, /query exists but it was mainly used to met skilled but unmet people together.

Jabber = IM, mostly private messaging with people you already knew. Groups where just built from people with close friendships, and, yes, often it would be made from IRC.

But, now, Slack and Discord try to do all (even a replacement from forums), and, worse, with propietary protocols and silos. If Discord dies, say goodbye to your content. Forever.

I think of Slack as "Discord for Professionals". Alternatively, Discord is "Slack for Gamers".

Both of them really are just IRC for a modern audience.

Still the best solution for group chats that you can get.