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Watching this video from Mina Le about the current state of social media, and I have to say, I've really been feeling a lot of nostalgia for the era of social media from 2010-2019 or so. It seemed like a totally different world. I think it's one of the reasons I found myself attracted to Pi.FYI--it reminded me of this now-halcyon era of the internet when it felt more like a cloud of folks sharing what they loved and kind of blogdumping, before the rise of rage-fueled algorithms and the consolidation of major social media outlets into the hands of 2-3 companies.
Feb 20, 2025
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This is such a feel good platform compared to others. Let’s just hope it stays like this
i lovvvee mina le <3 and yes i totally agree with this. this website seems so much more peaceful than anything else ive encountered on the interweb in yeeears.
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Feb 20, 2025
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Is it just me or social media is slowly but surely starting to feel wholesome again?
I might just be living in a bubble, but I feel like young people have started to realize the harm of excess scrolling, prioritizing actual connections and taking time off from internet. With all the overflowing capitalism and advertising, people are starting to create their own communities free of that, take this site for example. Not quite the Wild West internet of the y2k but something else entirely, something more.. real.
Authenticity is cool again.
Dec 29, 2024
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In a world obsessed with innovation, is the real secret to the future simply rediscovering the past?
There’s something oddly refreshing about the thought of Xanga, LiveJournal, or even MySpace making a comeback. In an era dominated by curated grids and fleeting 24-hour stories, these early platforms offered something simpler: a space to write, reflect, and connect without the pressure of algorithms or perfection. Back then, we shared messy thoughts, poured out feelings, and customized our profiles to reflect us, not what would trend. These platforms weren’t about chasing likes; they were about building connection and embracing individuality. Could a return to these slower, more personal forms of social media be the antidote to today’s hyper-curated, always-on digital world?
As we navigate a landscape of endless notifications and performative posts, it’s worth asking: have we become too connected? Nostalgia for the early internet isn’t just about glittery profiles and Top 8 friends—it’s about reclaiming the authenticity we’ve lost in the noise. Xanga and LiveJournal encouraged reflection, not perfection, while MySpace championed individuality over sameness. Maybe what we need now isn’t a new platform, but a revival of old-school digital simplicity, where being online feels more human and a little less exhausting.
Jan 15, 2025
Top Recs from @StarlightGoose
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I used to be a huge reader as a kid. I'd devour book after book, carting home a whole tote bag of books from the library well into high school. Then comes the part many of my peers have related to: you get older, you go to school, you start working. You only read for school, which makes reading not fun, and then you get a job, or maybe you're doing both, and the last thing you want to do is use your brain after a long day. Then ohp! Now you're living on your own, and there's all this housework, and who has time to sit down with a book when you're running around all day. Besides, why read a book when you can doomscroll? That's reading, right? Add a few dopamine-inducing algorithm factories to your routine, and next thing you know, it's been years since you finished an actual book.
But last year, I downloaded Kindle Unlimited to access a book I'd heard good things about....and was surprised at how easy it was to get through a book. There were so many recommendations. Then I realized that, for example, when I was in the waiting room or had 15 minutes to spare, instead of logging into Instagram, I could just....tap a different app and read a chapter or two of a book.
In 2024, I read 24 books. That's more than I have in literal years!
I've fallen in love with romance novels, and signed up for a service that lets me know when there's good deals on some of my other favorite genres. It's taken a while for my reading muscle to recover, but I've moved on to meatier nonfiction titles, as well.
Now, I will be clear that I do not like Amazon, and do my best to divest myself from it when possible. But the way I see it, for now, what e-books have done for helping me rediscover my love of reading adds a lot to my life. And I figure that if it helps me get through more justice-oriented, anti-capitalist literature, then I'm using the system to work against it. ;)
I'm just so glad I've found a way back into reading again!
Jan 29, 2025
Some faves:
They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib. He's one of my absolute favorite writers. I'm listening to his new book, There's Always This Year, and I swear he just gets better.
I also liked The Pink Line: The World's Queer Frontiers by Mark Gevisser. Though I think it gets into a little appropriation from the author towards the end, it was an incredibly eye-opening book for me about the rich world of queerness and gender beyond the Western binary around the world.
Trouble Boys by Bob Mehr is THE account of The Replacements, and Mehr pulls no punches with recounting the band members' lowest points, even as it's clear how much he admires their artistry.
Feb 20, 2025
Fun and frisky cover for when you want The Smiths but want to avoid Morrissey <3
Feb 20, 2025