"The internet feels boundless now: a swirling mess of memes, videos, social media platforms, and influencers all vying for everyone's attention. But before the noise became deafening, there were websites that quietly rewired the way we behave online. We're not talking about the flashy social media giants everyone talks about, but the subtle innovators whose weird little experiments changed how the web functions. Some of these experiments were simple, some chaotic, but together, they left fingerprints on every corner"
"Before everyone had blogs or social media profiles, GeoCities offered virtual neighborhoods where anyone could create a homepage. The design was often messy, with neon colors and animated GIFs bouncing everywhere, but it taught a generation that personal websites were important for curating information. Sure, blogging existed, but LiveJournal perfected the art of the personal community. It wasn't just about writing; it was about groups, friends-only posts, and subtle social hierarchies."
Early web experiments established many norms and features that define today's internet. GeoCities and Angelfire enabled personal pages, customization, and flamboyant aesthetics that taught users to curate online identities. LiveJournal introduced private posts, groups, and follower-like friend systems that shaped community dynamics and fandoms. Slashdot developed moderation, upvoting and community-driven content that influenced later platforms. Niche virtual worlds and interactive sites fostered early social interactions, game mechanics, and participatory culture. These platforms collectively seeded design patterns, social hierarchies, and engagement mechanics that persist across modern social networks, content platforms, and online communities.
Read at TheSavvyGamer
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