Makes me feel old when it all requires a nostaligic introduction. >But I’ve been surprised at sort of the evolution away from self-generated content and more t

Makes me feel old when it all requires a nostaligic introduction. >But I’ve been surprised at sort of the evolution away from self-generated content and more toward centralized programing and more toward sort of the self-promotion that we’ve seen on Facebook and Instagram and TikTok I think that hits two points, the centralization point is spot on, but maybe what it doesn't say is the lower technical barrier of entry for people to put content online, and Wordpress had a big part to play in that, maybe also being stepping stone for people to understand that the web wasn't a dark geeky place and it was mainstream for people to put their lives/thoughts/stuff/products online. And the social networks continued on from that. Unfortunately the centralisation prevents simple access to info. I see on facebook nowadays if I expand comments logged out I reach some kind of rate limit, one that doesn't exist if you sign up. Not great, some local services treat Facebook as their primary output of info. Alternative means of information discovery and simple access to web pages imo were the spirit of the web. Cookie banners and other interruptions to viewing a page are well known pains in the neck. Information discovery means are throttled by 5 or so big companies in SV.