The Gray Area with Sean Illing It’s time to get weird
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Aug 4, 2025 
Douglas Rushkoff, a renowned media theorist and author, dives into the evolution of the internet, discussing its shift from a hopeful space to a corporate tool of control. He emphasizes the loss of creativity and community in today’s digital landscape and advocates for reclaiming the unique and 'weird' aspects of online culture. Rushkoff highlights the importance of localized solutions and genuine human connections, arguing that technology can still be harnessed to foster a more engaged and communal society.
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Early Internet as Cultural Frontier
- The early internet was a brief cultural frontier filled with weirdness, creativity, and experimentation.
- This moment sparked hope before quickly being overtaken by corporate and industrial interests.
Monetization Killed Internet Weirdness
- The monetization and commodification of the internet killed its original weirdness and openness.
- Metrics like eyeball hours and stickiness turned humans into manipulated units of attention.
Capitalism Absorbs Counterculture
- Capitalism absorbs counterculture and repackages it to maintain the status quo.
- The internet's early years were malleable but ultimately shaped by existing power interests.
