The Changing Landscape of the Internet: Commercialization and Challenges

The internet has evolved drastically, now characterized by over-commercialization, dominance of tech giants, and emerging artificial intelligence technologies. Users experience less informative content, heightened sensationalism, and increased online scams. However, early internet principles of creativity and privacy still have value, and informed users can help navigate current challenges.

As Bob Dylan once said, "the times, they are a-changin'," and the internet is no exception. Users are finding it less fun and informative, with searches dominated by "cookie cutter" pages, scams, and AI-generated content.

Commercial interests are a significant factor in this shift. Financial motives drive much of the content, leading to sensationalism and prioritizing virality over quality. Tech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon wield immense power, creating filter bubbles and echo chambers through advanced tracking technologies and opaque algorithms.

Bad actors, empowered by generative AI, contribute to the chaos with realistic fake images, deepfake videos, and voice cloning. Despite these challenges, early principles like creativity and privacy still resonate. Users can vote with their feet, opting for platforms that align with their values and moving towards decentralized systems to counter monopolies.

(With inputs from agencies.)