From Web 1.0 to the App-Infested Web: A Lament for the Lost Internet

The author reminisces about the early days of the internet in the mid-90s, a time of creative websites, free information, and individual expression. However, commercialization brought an onslaught of ads, pop-ups, and invasive tracking. Websites were bought out by large networks, leading to homogenization and a decline in unique content. The internet evolved into the current ecosystem of ads, pop-ups, and apps, falling short of its initial promise. The author laments the loss of the open web and expresses concern about the future.