The internet feels like a local police radio chatter, not a place of belonging | Hacker News Reader

The internet feels like a local police radio chatter, not a place of belonging

3 points_avu04 comments

I just want to browse the internet, seeing original content, making friends, having healthy discussions, getting along, etc.

But instead, Dead Internet Theory makes the internet feel like it’s some sort of police radio chatter unique to my location.

I merely think about something and would you look at that, a new post / video / comment / blog / article / etc. about what I’m thinking about, but trying to ragebait me for attention. It also tries to get a reaction, whether it would be with a block, a report, a ban, a ignore like that’ll deter them, a dislike, etc.

And if I continue thinking about something, it’s like I get more replies about what I’m thinking, even though my thoughts are private, as if I asked to “Enhance it.” like in the CSI movies.

I want to feel like I belong in communities and make quality contributions, etc.

TLDR: I don’t want my internet to feel like a ragebait whackamole game. I want it to be normal.

> I merely think about something and would you look at that, a new post / video / comment / blog / article / etc. about what I’m thinking about, but trying to ragebait me for attention. It also tries to get a reaction, whether it would be with a block, a report, a ban, a ignore like that’ll deter them, a dislike, etc.

Is this really the *internet*, or just social media and aggregators like Reddit and HN? I ask because I typically just do my own thing on my own website, read other people's websites via RSS, and email other website operators if I have something to say that I don't want to put in a public post. Since I ignore social media, and don't visit HN more than once a month, my experience of the internet is a bit different from yours.

Its really those recommendation algorithms, content curation algorithms and even ads that get some people to think that anyone they want to talk to on the internet is a opportunistic bot.

And I don't blame them. If I subjected myself to that nonsense I'd start getting more misanthropic, too. Hell, I figured out years ago that if my primary form of engagement on a platform is blocking people I've decided are bozos, it's time to nuke my account.

Here's a simple advice: stop living on the internet. Internet has proven to be an excellent economic and scientific tool. Uber archive. Digital mega repository. But there is no, and there will never be, a human soul there. Create human connections in real life with real people around you, and you'll be fine. Just my experience.

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