[arexxbifs]

> What's Missing in Social Media?

Most of all, privacy.

> authentic, un-filtered, un-staged

That's what the net was like _before_ "social media" companies. IRC, Usenet, smallish web forums. You can't astroturf that kind of spontaneity from a VC startup.

[alex_lav]

> authentic

This smells like a "good old days" interpretation of the internet pre social media. It's always been mostly nonsense, social media just consolidates it.

[arexxbifs]

Perhaps. But it was heartfelt nonsense, without people trying to "monetize" or build "clout". If someone had joined an IRC channel in 1996 and started advertising cosmetics, they would've been kickbanned faster than you could type "A/S/L?".

[alex_lav]

Yeah, I just do not believe this is actually true, but I’m glad you have such fond memories.

People have been trying to build clout and sell shit on every available medium as long as capitalism has existed.

[arexxbifs]

You're right. I'm lying. You passed the test. Anyone who remembers a less commercialized, plaintext Internet is a stooge planted by Big Unix.

[alex_lav]

Relax, friend. Nobody said anything about lying or tests. I'm asserting that your rose colored glasses are just quite strong. Nothing sinister, nothing offensive.