Michael Sun: How to recapture the joy of the early internet

How to recapture the joy of the early internet

Before algorithms ruled our feeds, the internet was a mess — glitchy, chaotic and full of unexpected magic. Internet culture writer Michael Sun reflects on the wild digital world of the 2000s — and makes a funny, wry case for why we need to reclaim its spontaneity, weirdness and genuine connection. From niche Facebook groups to loading music onto your iPod, it might be time to borrow from the past.

Online life once thrived on unpredictability and genuine connections, where a bored 11-year-old could befriend a mohawked stranger in a pixelated virtual world. Today’s hyper-algorithmic internet feels slick but restrictive, making discovery harder and trends fleeting. By revisiting quirky communities like niche Facebook groups or simply swapping feeds with friends, people can recapture the spark of digital serendipity. The spirit of the early internet—messy, spontaneous, and experimental—still offers a path to joy and surprise.