Over time, almost everything has been compressed into this HTTP/HTML/JScript agglomeration. When the original thought was that there would be dozens of protocols for various uses, and a lot more client applications than the browser.
The best analogy I can think of is, imagine that plays(theaters), movies(bigscreens), novels(books), operas(concert halls), art(galleries), museums, etc... All disappeared in favor of delivering that content through games on your Xbox. All of that experience compressed into one method. Then the next generation says:
"Why would anyone miss physical art galleries? I can see art much faster on the 'Louvre 2026-season pass' on my Xbox? No travel, no walking, no lines."
Also, the Unix “talk” command is a nice 1-to-1 chat protocol along the lines of finger, ie
$ talk snoopy@dog.house
In fact, even search engines were originally optional; various people and organizations used to simply maintain huge static directory service websites, simply listing out "everything else on the web" (or more often, just the parts the author thinks are cool.)
After all, dissatisfaction with the status quo is the reasons this space (gopher, gemini, etc.) even exists. If, like you say, nobody wanted this we wouldn't be here discussing it.