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Usenet (IRC channels too) had a sense of _place_ that I think is less common in mainstream social media, but still exists to an extent in forums, just with a wo

by thom 4y ago

Usenet (IRC channels too) had a sense of _place_ that I think is less common in mainstream social media, but still exists to an extent in forums, just with a worse interface overall. I remember some things fondly (partly because I was a teenager) but I'd struggle to say it was superior and certainly no healthier than today. I don't remember it being tech-focused or professional, unless you only hung out in comp.* and not alt.*. Like, who remembers Terry Tickle etc?

cies 4y ago
> Usenet (IRC channels too) had a sense of _place_ Not sure what you mean by this, but they sure were not fully clad with ads and tricks to get you to pay for some virtual gifts or pro-accounts.
- thom 4y ago
  There was plenty of spam, to be fair. What I mean is, I don't feel like I inhabit or share a space on Twitter or Facebook (or here) with actual humans I feel I know. I did feel that in various Usenet groups and IRC channels. There's a kinetic, physical quality, an explicit coming-together, like having your favourite, regular table at a pub, compared to standing on a busy street screaming at anonymous strangers. But tbh I don't really seek _out_ those niches now, and presumably they exist.
  - chromaton 4y ago
    I think signature lines on the posts helped with that.
  - wishfish 4y ago
    I enjoy Twitter but I agree with your assessment. Disagree a little about Facebook though. No argument about FB the company being soulless, evil, etc. But FB groups can be a great experience. Especially the smaller ones focused on a niche subject. Those are some nice communities, but it can take a while to find the right ones. You're correct about the niches existing. There are little corners of the internet that exist as the neighborhood pub. Not just small FB groups and Discord channels. But I also know blogs still going strong with their 200-1000 regular commentators. The only problem is the audience for those blogs is aging. Not exactly a problem for me since I'm aging too. But does make me a little sad for their longevity because they have a problem attracting new users.
    - thom 4y ago
      I think the closest I've seen is Twitch chat communities, but obviously that's a very different dynamic overall. I agree with your last point, I am older now, have a company and a family, and I don't really have the same emotional needs as teenage me. I just don't go looking for that level of commitment to internet spaces now. I'm sure in 25 years people will be on here lamenting that Floogleblarg neural pools don't capture the same vibe as Twitch chat circa 2020.
gaws 4y ago
> ... IRC ... had a sense of _place_ IRC is alive and kicking.
- thom 4y ago
  IRC is a long way down from its peak both in share of attention and relevance, but yes, probably still more alive than Usenet, although that still also has many pockets of activity.

by thom 4y ago

cies 4y ago

> Usenet (IRC channels too) had a sense of _place_ Not sure what you mean by this, but they sure were not fully clad with ads and tricks to get you to pay for some virtual gifts or pro-accounts.

thom 4y ago
There was plenty of spam, to be fair. What I mean is, I don't feel like I inhabit or share a space on Twitter or Facebook (or here) with actual humans I feel I know. I did feel that in various Usenet groups and IRC channels. There's a kinetic, physical quality, an explicit coming-together, like having your favourite, regular table at a pub, compared to standing on a busy street screaming at anonymous strangers. But tbh I don't really seek _out_ those niches now, and presumably they exist.
- chromaton 4y ago
  I think signature lines on the posts helped with that.
- wishfish 4y ago
  I enjoy Twitter but I agree with your assessment. Disagree a little about Facebook though. No argument about FB the company being soulless, evil, etc. But FB groups can be a great experience. Especially the smaller ones focused on a niche subject. Those are some nice communities, but it can take a while to find the right ones. You're correct about the niches existing. There are little corners of the internet that exist as the neighborhood pub. Not just small FB groups and Discord channels. But I also know blogs still going strong with their 200-1000 regular commentators. The only problem is the audience for those blogs is aging. Not exactly a problem for me since I'm aging too. But does make me a little sad for their longevity because they have a problem attracting new users.
  - thom 4y ago
    I think the closest I've seen is Twitch chat communities, but obviously that's a very different dynamic overall. I agree with your last point, I am older now, have a company and a family, and I don't really have the same emotional needs as teenage me. I just don't go looking for that level of commitment to internet spaces now. I'm sure in 25 years people will be on here lamenting that Floogleblarg neural pools don't capture the same vibe as Twitch chat circa 2020.

gaws 4y ago

> ... IRC ... had a sense of _place_ IRC is alive and kicking.

thom 4y ago
IRC is a long way down from its peak both in share of attention and relevance, but yes, probably still more alive than Usenet, although that still also has many pockets of activity.