Why isn't the internet more fun and weird?

Re:Why isn't the internet more fun and weird? by Hydraulix989 on Wednesday January 30, 2019 @03:44PM (#19039249)

I think the de-anonymization of online users is another shift that (among many other things) caused the Internet to be less fun and weird.

You can see a very different tone in YouTube video comments, for example, before they switched to using real names.

Now, people are afraid to risk damaging their own personal reputation by posting "weird" things (I don't mean extremely weird either -- people are extremely self-conscious in general of saying things that MIGHT be considered weird in front of others, so they don't be themselves as much as they did when they were anonymous). And often, "fun" is synonymous with "weird".

It's not ALL bad -- people also say FAR less offensive things to each other when their real names are attached (but it still happens), but if you're looking for reasons for the shift, user de-anonymization is definitely one of them.

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Re:Why isn't the internet more fun and weird? by andai on Wednesday January 30, 2019 @04:18PM (#19039617)

To add to this, the few remaining pockets of anonymity are still as weird as ever :)

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Re:Why isn't the internet more fun and weird? by baroffoos on Wednesday January 30, 2019 @07:22PM (#19041102)

I'm in a private forum and its funny to see how strangers with anime profile pics are able to discuss topics that would be flamed to death in seconds on most of the internet.

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Re:Why isn't the internet more fun and weird? by robertrobot on Wednesday January 30, 2019 @05:20PM (#19040197)

Ah yes, this is another great point. When people think they are being watched or monitored, activity fundamentally changes.

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