#internetculture — Public Fediverse posts

[Tech Thoughts] The tightrope walk between online safety and draconian laws

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/technology/features/tech-thoughts-tightrope-walk-online-safety-draconian-laws/

TechCrunch: Judge blocks X rival from using Twitter name, but allows ‘Tweet’ for now. “The story of the Virginia-based startup isn’t really about building something unique; it’s about a company trying to get its hands on abandoned trademarks that X relinquished. Even the homepage for the company clearly states its purpose is to go back and pick up what Elon Musk dropped when he renamed […]

Retail Gazette: Lush launches campaign highlighting harm caused by social media. “Lush is looking to spotlight the harm caused by big social media platforms in its new campaign, which is now live across all of its stores in the UK, EU, USA and Canada. The retailer left the major social media platforms, Snapchat, X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook almost five years ago. And since then, the […]

Spotted in my RSS feeds: a Chrome extension called Retake the Lake. (This link goes to a GitHub repository. Here is the extension in the Chrome Web store.) “This is a (hopefully temporary) extension for Chrome browsers that corrects ‘Lake America’ to ‘Lake Ontario’ in two ways.”

Gothamist: TikTok is the new 311: New Yorkers tag Mayor Mamdani on social media for help. “Mamdani is being inundated with online requests for IRL fixes. The videos, which have become a meme on TikTok, show people begging Mamdani to take action on everything from mundane nuisances — like potholes and leaky subway stations — to more existential challenges like finding love. The requests have […]

if you call yourself a golden retriever, people may say sit

https://tacobout.online/2026/09/05/golden-retriever-boyfriend-dating-profile-archetype/

CNBC: South Korea’s AI rally is reshaping romance, reality shows and academic preferences. “South Korea’s AI stock rally is rapidly transforming different corners of the country’s society ranging all the way from romance to academics. In Korea’s dating scene, professionals such as physicians, lawyers and judges, have traditionally been the most sought-after. Now the preferences are […]

youtube is quietly becoming the weirdest streaming service

https://tacobout.online/2026/09/02/youtube-quietly-becoming-weirdest-streaming-service/

Social media algorithm opt-in would curb 'manosphere', says advocate
By Clare Armstrong

Consent advocate Chanel Contos wants Australians to be able to opt out of algorithm-driven content.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/algorithm-social-media-sexism-manosphere/107104586

#InternetCulture #SocialMedia #FederalGovernment #ComputerScience #InformationTechnologyIndustry #ClareArmstrong

Rolling Stone: 25 Most Influential Creators of 2026. “This year, you may notice that we left off some of the highest-ranking creators from past lists. That’s because their empires have made content largely an afterthought — if you have a $100 million Amazon show or a $500 million media company, do you still really count as a creator? Instead, we focused on those who have become industry […]

ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox to adhere to EU’s ‘very large platform’ rules

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/technology/chatgpt-reddit-roblox-adhere-europe-very-large-platform-rules/

Gizmodo: As That Whole ‘Tilly Norwood’ Thing Peters Out, AI Acting Achieves Unsettling Ubiquity on Chinese Phone Screens. “Unless there’s a large, secret fandom waiting with bated breath for the release of the Tilly Norwood movie, it would seem that improv comedian Eline Van Der Velden’s quest for fame as an AI provocateur is finally fizzling. But make no mistake: the aesthetic […]

I sometimes think that some executive came up with the idea of getting perfectly reasonable people to behave like imbeciles as a wager — and then everyone forgot to remove the requirement.

#YouTube #Clickbait #YouTubeCreators #ContentCreators #CreatorEconomy #SocialMedia #DigitalMedia #OnlineContent #MediaCriticism #InternetCulture #YouTubeThumbnails #ContentMarketing #Humour #Satire #TTMO

Government not planning import ban for smart glasses, attorney-general says
By Erin Handley

The federal government unveils a draft of sweeping new privacy laws designed to bolster protections including the "right to erasure" as well as address risks related to artificial intelligence.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/attorney-general-says-no-ban-on-smart-glasses-draft-privacy-laws/107097852

#GovernmentandPolitics #FederalGovernment #FederalParliament #Internet #InformationandCommunication #ScienceandTechnology #InternetCulture #ErinHandley

Google changes US maps to Lake America from Lake Ontario

After US President Donald Trump signed an executive order changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America, Google updates its US-based maps.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/google-changes-us-maps-from-lake-ontario-to-lake-america/107097292

#WorldPolitics #ScienceandTechnology #InternetCulture #CommunityandSociety

Mashable: Are you a ‘meat proxy’? The latest AI slang, explained.. “There is a new name for the coworker who responds to a simple question with seven paragraphs that very clearly came straight from ChatGPT: a ‘meat proxy.’ You probably know the type. They paste a question into an AI chatbot, copy the answer into Slack, and consider their work complete. The response may be long, polished, and […]

Found in my Calishat Snaps: Buddy Icon Archive. From the site’s short history of AIM buddy icons: “The canvas was so small that every decision became emphatic. Surviving client documentation describes images between 48×48 and 50×50 pixels. A face needed a close crop; text needed blunt contrast; an idea often had to survive in a single glance. Animated GIFs turned that square into a tiny […]

Distributed Denial of Secrets: Tate Media Library. “The files include individual clips, media from their AI Library, Editing Sandbox, Promos, Stock Video Archive, Video snippet files, and productions including Heroes of Wudan, Tales of Wudan, Immortal Dragon, Money Glitch, and Real Life Tate.” Not public; available to researchers and journalists only.

industry plant or chaotic good: the geese marketing conundrum

https://tacobout.online/2026/08/27/geese-chaotic-good-marketing-industry-plant/

Ed Circuit: How High School Media Programs Prepare Future Creators. “From newspapers and radio stations to podcasts, livestreams, AI, and digital storytelling, today’s high school media programs are preparing students for careers that didn’t exist just a decade ago.”

LIST: What’s changing for Facebook, Instagram in the wake of US settlement

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/technology/social-media/list-facebook-instagram-changes-united-states-settlement/

Meta settlement opens new front in global fight over social media harm

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/technology/social-media/meta-settlement-opens-new-front-global-fight-harm/

[Tech Thoughts] Meta’s settlement with US states, and the hope for change in social media

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/technology/features/tech-thoughts-meta-settlement-usa-states-hope-change-social-media/

Parade: Dollywood Site Temporarily Crashes After Fans Rush to Honor Dolly Parton. “Within an hour of the public announcement, an overwhelming surge of visitors rushed to Dollywood.com to check operational updates, review travel plans, and secure park tickets. The sudden spike in web traffic briefly overwhelmed the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, destination’s servers, The New York Post reported, […]

Companies That Love Shit-Spewing Algorithms Admit Maybe Shit-Spewing Algorithms Are Bad

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://aftermath.site/meta-facebook-instagram-lawsuit/

Despite Myself, I'm Obsessed With This Irish Language Food Influencer Drama

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://aftermath.site/irish-tiktok-nasti-instagram/

Chinese factory workers accidentally caught on camera glasses
By Jason Om and Richard Mockler

A new pair of camera glasses purchased online has been found to contain video footage of factory workers who appear to have been unknowingly filmed.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-25/camera-glasses-contain-footage-of-chinese-factory-workers/107057934

#ConsumerElectronics #InternetCulture #JasonOm #RichardMockler

https://tuhat.net/@onefootintheother/p/the-world-wants-to-sell-you-clean-answers

The creator economy is born and people are no longer making art, they are making content. Slop pushed out online on consistent schedules onto platforms inundated with competing and yet eerily similar slop. Everyone is posting “consistently” even when they have nothing to say.

We are already overloaded with information, do we ever stop to consider if the world really needs more?

#internet #internetculture #philosophy #creativity #writing #socialmedia #creatoreconomy

ABC News (Australia): The manosphere continues to suck young men in as study reveals troubling findings. “Flynn Martin is one who says he was radicalised by the manosphere. He was 20 years old. A uni student. A self-professed doomscroller. But once the anti-women algorithm infiltrated his social media, it took just months for the hobby content creator to become another online prophet of […]

ABC News (Australia): The manosphere continues to suck young men in as study reveals troubling findings. “Flynn Martin is one who says he was radicalised by the manosphere. He was 20 years old. A uni student. A self-professed doomscroller. But once the anti-women algorithm infiltrated his social media, it took just months for the hobby content creator to become another online prophet of […]

ABC News (Australia): The manosphere continues to suck young men in as study reveals troubling findings. “Flynn Martin is one who says he was radicalised by the manosphere. He was 20 years old. A uni student. A self-professed doomscroller. But once the anti-women algorithm infiltrated his social media, it took just months for the hobby content creator to become another online prophet of […]

ABC News (Australia): The manosphere continues to suck young men in as study reveals troubling findings. “Flynn Martin is one who says he was radicalised by the manosphere. He was 20 years old. A uni student. A self-professed doomscroller. But once the anti-women algorithm infiltrated his social media, it took just months for the hobby content creator to become another online prophet of […]

ABC News (Australia): The manosphere continues to suck young men in as study reveals troubling findings. “Flynn Martin is one who says he was radicalised by the manosphere. He was 20 years old. A uni student. A self-professed doomscroller. But once the anti-women algorithm infiltrated his social media, it took just months for the hobby content creator to become another online prophet of […]

Deadline: SXSW Launching Podcast Festival In 2027. “SXSW is expanding with the addition of a dedicated podcast festival in 2027, festival organizers announced on Tuesday. This positions Podcasts a core element of the SXSW experience, alongside Film & TV, Music, Comedy, and the Innovation Conference.”

Roblox to face external audits to prove it's safe for Australian children

Australia's eSafety Commissioner will be able to take the gaming platform to court if it finds Roblox is not honouring its commitments to keep Australian children safe.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-20/roblox-esafety-court-enforceable-undertaking/107056294

#ConsumerProtection #ChildCare #Children #InformationandCommunication #InternetCulture #LawCrimeandJustice

Associated Press: YouTube sensation Ms. Rachel announces debut album with Mr. Aron, ‘I’m So Happy’. “Parents of toddlers everywhere, prepare yourselves. YouTube sensation and music teacher Ms. Rachel and her husband, Aron Accurso, will release their debut album, the 23-track ‘I’m So Happy,’ on Sept. 25…. Ms. Rachel launched her mega popular YouTube channel in 2019 with her husband, […]

Associated Press: As AI grips world, the thrill of collecting vintage computers is growing. “While Silicon Valley has since moved on to shaping the future of artificial intelligence, these hardware enthusiasts are intent on saving the Atari, Commodore and IBM machines that are ancestors to today’s laptops, wearable devices and smart phones. Where others see junk, people like [Josh] Dersch see […]

How-To Geek: This 3D Blockbuster recreation brings back the video store browsing that streaming killed. “Walking through the aisles of a video store used to be half the fun of a movie night. You judged films by their cover art, stumbled across forgotten classics, and often left with something you never planned to watch. A new site called Bingebuster brings back that experience with a fully […]

The Internet Gave Everyone a Voice, Unfortunately

I’ve got to tell you, the internet is something else, isn’t it? I mean, think about it, we have this incredible tool, this global network that connects us all, that allows us to share information and communicate with anyone, anywhere, at any time. It’s like the ultimate democracy of ideas, right? Everyone gets a voice! Oh, what a beautiful dream!

Oh, but wait! It turns out, maybe not everyone should have a voice? Maybe, just maybe, some opinions are better kept to yourself? I know, I know, it’s a controversial take. But hear me out!

Before the internet, if you had a terrible opinion, you had to keep it within your family. Maybe ruin Christmas dinner. Now you can ruin somebody’s morning in another country before breakfast! And don’t get me started on the comments sections. Have you seen the comments sections? It’s like the wild west out there. No rules, no consequences, just an endless stream of unfiltered nonsense.

And what’s with all these people who start every post with ‘Nobody asked, but…’ or ‘I wasn’t going to speak about this, but…’? Buddy, if nobody asked and you weren’t going to speak about it, then DON’T! Nobody’s twisting your arm here. But no, they’ve got to share their unsolicited hot take on whatever topic is trending that day. And God forbid you disagree with them, they’ll be at your doorstep, ready for a duel at dawn.

What about online trolls? “Hey, you know what really grinds my gears? When people don’t like my opinion on the internet. No, seriously, that’s like the number one crime in the online world. Say something controversial, and suddenly you’re Public Enemy Number One. It’s like, relax, bro. It’s just the internet. Nobody cares.

And don’t even get me started on the experts. Oh, they’re everywhere. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a smartphone and an opinion now thinks they’re an expert on everything from politics to climate change to quantum physics. Newsflash: just because you watched a few YouTube videos doesn’t make you a expert. Trust me, I know from experience. I once tried to explain string theory to my cat using nothing but a laser pointer and some catnip. Did not go well.

But the real kicker is when these so called experts start giving unsolicited advice online. Oh, you’re a doctor? Well, here’s what I think you should do: shut up and treat your patients. Same goes for pilots, chefs, teachers, you name it. Every profession now has millions of unpaid online supervisors ready to tell them how to do their jobs better. It’s like having a bunch of drunk monkeys in the cockpit, all screaming different directions.

And don’t forget about the influencers… they’re the worst. Oh, they’ve got it all figured out. They’re going to ‘speak their truth’ and ‘inspire’ us all with their ‘authentic’ content. But let’s be real, they’re just a bunch of attention seeking narcissists with a camera and a dream. And don’t even get me started on their ‘spontaneous’ videos, the ones where they’re crying in their car about something that happened to them that we’re all supposed to care about. Please. If you’re filming it, it’s not spontaneous. It’s not real. It’s just another piece of content to feed the algorithm.

But you know what really gets me? It’s the ones who overshare. The ones who post every single detail of their lives online, their arguments, their moods, their meals, their entire lives on display for the world to see. It’s like they’re begging for validation, for someone, anyone, to pay attention to them. But here’s the thing, they’re not sharing. They’re performing. And nobody asked for their performance.

The internet promised us a revolution, a democratization of knowledge and ideas. But instead, we got an endless stream of opinions from people who shouldn’t have them. We got a platform for every idiot with a smartphone and a dream of being heard. We got the voice of the people, but not necessarily the best voice, the loudest one.

So here’s my advice, next time you’re about to post something online, next time you’re about to share your unsolicited opinion with the world, ask yourself: does anyone actually care? Do you even know what you’re talking about? Is this going to make the world a better place? Because if not, then maybe just…don’t. Maybe just keep it to yourself.

Because at the end of the day, the internet gave everyone a voice. But it forgot to install a filter.  And that’s the real tragedy of our time.

Before Algorithms Took Over Everything
Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why? The piece of outdated technology I miss the most isn’t a gadget. It’s the old Internet. Back before every website wanted your email address, your firstborn child, and permis
#dailyprompt #Dailyprompt2826 #internet #InternetCulture #nostalgia #OldInternet #Retro #technology #WebDesign #WebHistory

Read The Whole Post By Clicking The Link Below:
https://ericfoltin.com/2026/07/18/before-algorithms-took-over-everything/

404 Media: How I Bought a Private Jet By Selling $10 Subscriptions to 404 Media. “The extremely obvious truth (which is barely even veiled) is that at least most of these hustlebros are faking it. They hope to make money selling their courses. The scheme is not the AI babe or the drop shipping, it’s the course, the community, the fantasy. They’re LARPing, or LARPmaxxing, if you will. In […]

What school shootings in PH have in common

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/video-school-shootings/

Hollywood Reporter: ‘Backrooms’ Sends Hollywood Running to Reddit for New Ideas. “As Hollywood appears poised to pivot to digitally native creatives like Parsons and Obsession director Curry Barker, Reddit is emerging as a focus point (alongside obvious suspects like YouTube and TikTok) for agents and execs seeking the Next Big Thing.”

CNN: YouTubers are setting box office records. It could change the future of moviemaking. “The biggest two movies in America right now, ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession,’ come from twentysomething filmmakers who honed their craft on YouTube. Their films were made with relatively low budgets and were marketed online. Now that they’re filling theaters with teens and young adults who rarely show up at […]

The Guardian: Colbert launches YouTube channel less than a week after late-night show ends. “Stephen Colbert hasn’t even been off the air for a week, but is already causing some hubbub with the launch of a new YouTube channel that has garnered more than 120,000 subscribers.”

In today's installment of "Blame a Meme for Global Chaos," we learn that DOGE coin isn't just for Reddit bros anymore—it's apparently the root cause of violence across an entire continent. 😱✨ Who knew digital dog tokens were more destabilizing than actual political policies? 🙄
https://www.404media.co/doge-cuts-unleashed-a-deadly-wave-of-violence-across-africa-study-finds/ #BlameAMeme #GlobalChaos #DOGEcoin #DigitalCurrency #InternetCulture #HackerNews #ngated

Some Filler Is Good Shit, Actually

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://aftermath.site/good-anime-filler-episodes-dagon-ball-z-naruto-bleach-one-piece/

Rotten Dot Com

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2026/05/06/rotten-dot-com/

#HackerNews #RottenDotCom #internetCulture #webHistory #digitalMedia #darkWeb

Los Angeles Times: ‘Speed running’ Scientology: TikTok trend causes havoc, church alleges ‘hate crimes’. “For weeks, groups of people have barged into two of the church’s Hollywood properties, racing through hallways and tussling with security guards, trying to see how far they can get before they are forced to leave by church staff. They call it ‘speed running,’ slang for trying to beat a […]

Mashable: What happened to Omegle? The rise and fall of the internet’s favorite stranger danger . “In 2009, Omegle launched with a simple premise: connect strangers from around the world one-on-one via text or video chat. The pairing was random, and anyone with internet access could join for free, no account required…. But not everyone came to Omegle with good intentions. After it shut down […]