The internet was once a space fuelled by human curiosity, a place for discovery and creativity. But as algorithms grow stronger, AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from human creation, and our attention is pulled from every direction, being online doesn't feel as fun anymore.
New terms like doomscrolling defined as ‘the act of endlessly consuming negative content’ highlight how little control we have over what we see. Algorithms now dictate our feeds, sometimes making scarily accurate suggestions but other times leading us down a spiral of negativity or, even worse, misinformation.
But the internet can be fun! Here’s our guide:
New terms like doomscrolling defined as ‘the act of endlessly consuming negative content’ highlight how little control we have over what we see. Algorithms now dictate our feeds, sometimes making scarily accurate suggestions but other times leading us down a spiral of negativity or, even worse, misinformation.
But the internet can be fun! Here’s our guide:
1.
Switch up your media diet
Only consuming one type of content is like going to a buffet and just trying one dish, and then going back for more over and over again. We have gotten too comfortable consuming short form content, yes it can be concise and entertaining, but can often lack context. To make your online experience more enjoyable, try mixing in long-form videos, podcasts, blogs, or essays. This lets you dive deeper into topics that interest you instead of skimming the surface.
Only consuming one type of content is like going to a buffet and just trying one dish, and then going back for more over and over again. We have gotten too comfortable consuming short form content, yes it can be concise and entertaining, but can often lack context. To make your online experience more enjoyable, try mixing in long-form videos, podcasts, blogs, or essays. This lets you dive deeper into topics that interest you instead of skimming the surface.
2.
Pop your algorithm bubble
Remember the thrill of stumbling upon a weird, niche website in middle school? That feeling has been replaced by algorithm-curated echo chambers, reinforcing what we already think and like. But the internet is so much bigger than what your feed shows you. You can take back the fun by actively seeking out new sources. Follow creators outside of your usual interests, read from a variety of perspectives, and explore corners of the web you wouldn’t normally visit. Curiosity is what made the internet fun in the first place, embrace it.
Remember the thrill of stumbling upon a weird, niche website in middle school? That feeling has been replaced by algorithm-curated echo chambers, reinforcing what we already think and like. But the internet is so much bigger than what your feed shows you. You can take back the fun by actively seeking out new sources. Follow creators outside of your usual interests, read from a variety of perspectives, and explore corners of the web you wouldn’t normally visit. Curiosity is what made the internet fun in the first place, embrace it.
3.
Share, don’t scroll
One of the best parts of the internet is sharing cool stuff with friends. If you think about it, most of your favorite memes, songs, or podcasts probably came from a friend who gets your sense of humor and interests. Instead of letting a faceless algorithm curate your online experience, curate it yourself. Found an interesting article? Share it. Discovered an underrated artist? Send their song to a friend. Starting conversations around what you consume makes content more meaningful and fun. Plus, it turns the internet back into what it was meant to be, a place for connection.
One of the best parts of the internet is sharing cool stuff with friends. If you think about it, most of your favorite memes, songs, or podcasts probably came from a friend who gets your sense of humor and interests. Instead of letting a faceless algorithm curate your online experience, curate it yourself. Found an interesting article? Share it. Discovered an underrated artist? Send their song to a friend. Starting conversations around what you consume makes content more meaningful and fun. Plus, it turns the internet back into what it was meant to be, a place for connection.
Although it may feel like it, the internet isn’t broken. The internet can be exciting, inspiring, and yes, even fun again. It just takes a little curiosity, a willingness to explore, and a reminder that we can control our online experience—not the algorithm.
PS. Arca let’s you put all the tips to the test, so here’s an access code to have fun online again: P7HOVH
Insert this code into the Arca app to start setting your Arca profile.
PS. Arca let’s you put all the tips to the test, so here’s an access code to have fun online again: P7HOVH
Insert this code into the Arca app to start setting your Arca profile.
