Pixels x Pens Newsletter - What Happened To the Internet?

Many of us are old enough to remember the early days of the internet, before it became famous. Now that AI has entered the chat, the World Wide Web and social media as we know them seem like they're heading to the grave.  I've collected a few videos and articles discussing current trends in social media. Is it possible we're returning to small online communities in response to an information overload? A few journalists and tech professionals believe we've already made the transition and we're waiting for platforms to catch up. 

What Happened to Breakfast Photos?

The other day, I stumbled upon (anyone else remember that site?) a YouTube video from the BBC. It's a nine-minute video about a trend in social media, users' reluctance to share content. In a world where content has become commercialized and polished, no one wants to post their breakfast anymore. In fact, most conversations take place in the DMs and group chats. In the video, author Kyle Chayka says that we could see a future where "social media" is no longer social but resembles something more like traditional media.  I'll post the video and his article below.

Are You Experiencing Posting Ennui?

Sharing casual moments from our lives on social media doesn’t seem to make sense the way it used to.

The New YorkerKyle Chayka

Reddit's Still Holding On

Reddit might be the last holdout of the blog era, but it's not easy trying to keep that "old internet" feel when you have shareholders and AI looking to get as much data and profit as possible. This one is a longer read, but it's worth it if you enjoy the business of technology and social media. One key takeaway is that many CEOs believe there will be a movement where the cream rises to the top, and AI will cut away the bullshit. Only time will tell. 

Why You Are Reading Reddit a Lot More These Days

“The front page of the web” is turning into the last refuge of the human internet. But can it survive AI?

IntelligencerJohn Herrman

The Word of The Day

This week's word of the day is - Enshittification.  It's a word that's been floating around the internet since 2022, thanks to Corey Doctorow. Enshiffication is a theory that explains the decline of the internet and its platforms. There's a video by Jared Henderson that discusses the term and how we've ended up in the ad-supported hellscape that is the internet in 2025.