The early internet wasn’t faster. It wasn’t smarter. It definitely wasn’t prettier. But it felt… alive. Slightly chaotic. Slightly unhinged. And very human.
Websites That Looked Like Someone Actually Made Them
Before everything was optimized and minimalist, websites had personality. Glitter text, visitor counters, auto-playing music. It looked like someone’s cousin built it — and that was part of the charm.
Waiting for a Page to Load
You’d click a link and just sit there while an image slowly revealed itself from top to bottom. It felt like suspense, even if it was just a blurry JPEG of someone’s dog.
Forums That Felt Like Communities
Niche message boards weren’t about going viral. They were about shared obsession. Whether it was gaming, TV theories, or oddly specific hobbies, people showed up consistently.
No Algorithm Deciding What You Saw
You found things because you searched for them — not because something decided you should see it. Discovery felt earned.
AIM Away Messages as Emotional Signals
Your away message wasn’t random. It was coded. Song lyrics meant something. And someone out there knew exactly who it was about.
The Wild West of Flash Games
No downloads. No subscriptions. Just clicking random games that may or may not crash your computer. Peak entertainment.
Fewer Ads, More Weirdness
Yes, there were pop-ups. But there was also more randomness. The internet felt less polished and more experimental.
Logging Off and Actually Being Done
When you disconnected, you were offline. No constant notifications following you around in your pocket.
Life wasn’t better because it was primitive. It was better because it felt small enough to explore.