>>17517278Generally this.
Worked in IT since I was 15, circa '98. The culture was truly something to behold. Nearly everyone in the scene was >115 and surprisingly friendly and outgoing. The socially retarded geek meme was absolutely real. However, it did not prevent people form mentoring and sharing the culture in big ways. I had a few mentors that helped me start my career and the job prospects were insane during that time. It was like the fucking gold rush.
These days, tech in general has been parsed down to ingrate with the lowest common denominator. Social mediation and midwittery have seen NPCs invade and take over many such spaces. Independent thought, dedication, hard work and uniqueness are seldom rewarded. Once the powerful tool of the few, it has become the double edged sword clumsily wielded by the masses. It is both beautiful and terrifying. It will never go back to the way it was.
All we have now are the memories and the way that it changed how we think. I almost feel sorry for the normies that will never know what a free internet was like. Then again, they would never be able to understand it.
