2025: Year of The Great Blogging Renaissance

For those of us who came of age during the era of the "Wild West of the Internet", and witnessed its transformation from the 1990s to the early 2000s, there has been a wistful yearning for a time when the online web was an uncharted territory and its users were pioneers venturing into a realm of creativity. With Gen-X and Millennials giving way to Gen-Z, a new generation has emerged and made their mark on the online landscape. Paving the way for a shift in social media focus from instant perfection to a more authentic (albeit old-fashioned) option: traditional Blogging.

Gen-Z has an online presence that far outperforms generations before them. Over the last two decades, social media has expanded exponentially, now comprising a variety of websites and applications used by people of all ages around the world. It seems as if using Microsoft Outlook is almost second nature to us, Even infants handle an iPad with the proficiency of a spaceship commander.

A survey conducted by Dr. Douglas Nemecek, the chief medical officer for behavioral health at Cigna, found something surprising about loneliness in the younger generation, stating that:

From his 2018 study, overall reported loneliness scores resulted as such:

Associated Article: NPR - Americans Are A Lonely Lot, And Young People Bear The Heaviest Burden, By Rhitu Chatterjee (2018).

Too often people think that this problem of loneliness is specific to older adults, but recognition should also be given to the fact that this can affect those at younger ages. Now that Social media is ever-present in modern society and has changed the way people communicate with those around them, I predict a generational shift in it's use:

Gen-Z may shift the push for a purposeful

with-drawl from social media as a reaction

to the negative consequences that come

from constant online availability, such as

anxiety, isolation, and diminished morale,

which we are now beginning to recognize,

as a society-

Much like Gen-Z leans into the fashion and

pop-culture of the 1990's and early 2000's,

"vintage internet" may come back into "trend",

to fulfill their natural want for connection, but

without the pressures of such a fast paced world.

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). Myspace. Tumblr. Youtube.

At their peak, each of these websites had a large user base and wielded a significant influence over Gen-X and Millennials for valid reasons.

Their success can be attributed mainly to their uncomplicated user interface and emphasis on genuine personalization, in my opinion. Early social media stressed the importance of individuality in its users, encouraging them to create spaces that truly represented a diverse community.What drew people to these platforms was the authentic and unfiltered content they offered, providing raw insights into life with fewer illusions.

The original intention was to discover unique websites tailored to one's interests and participate in naturally formed communities. However, these communities have now been absorbed into larger networks, losing their original identity. Many of these platforms have since standardized certain features, leaving minimal room for personalization, leading to a significant decline in self-expression.

Early Internet and social media was a bit chaotic, it was colorful, personalized, it was dramatic, and messy at times, but it was always fun!

I remember being around 12 years old and going to sleepover at my friends house. It was around 2009, and as we sat at her family-room computer, she pulled up a new website called; "Youtube."

The early days of Youtube were similar to many other parts of the internet- the barrier to entry was much lower than it is today. Cameras were unsteady, and audio quality was sometimes poor. Videos were typically short, under 5-6 minutes, and Creators weren't held to the expectation to have multi-hundred dollar cameras but, what it lacked in perfection, creators edited their content in unique styles that distinguished them and gave them individuality. Everyone was so normal, and had a day jobs, and their families were not always camera-ready and polished.

And, for some reason, they got rid of one of the most incredible (and ahead of it's time) features:

Video Responses!

Things have changed in the last twenty years, and in retrospect, I pinpoint this shift to around the years 2014-2015.

The difference that I noticed, was that creators no longer were being rewarded for the quality of their unique content, but rather, entities threw an exorbitant amount of money at creators to be the face of content that they knew would "work." The content was no longer the goal, but rather a side product to a successful advertising campaign.

Responding retroactively to the amount of:

• Being constantly exposed to stimuli from their immediate social circle and the global community.

• Having the expectation to participate, engaging in social media has now become the societal standard.

• Comparing oneself to others steals joy for a reason.

  
  

While the pace of the world has always been fast, it appears to be even faster now. At the heart of all these platforms lies the concept of blogging. These platforms have transformed traditional blogging, making it more accessible to a wider audience. I appreciate this innovation. However, in exchange for the convenience they offer, we have compromised on creativity and effort.

Blogging is a competitive field in the business sector and a multi-million dollar industry. The blogging community on Reddit alone has a robust 150k members, indicating a growing interest. Blogging can also serve as an enjoyable means to establish an online presence in a controlled environment where one can focus on personal interests. The benefits of blogging can address various societal needs, such as fostering connections, enhancing literacy, and rekindling the importance of research.

Over time, we may observe younger generations consciously set online boundaries, change their ways of expression, and take regular breaks for their well-being.