Inverted Hedgehog

Today is 11486. of September, 1993. At least it’s on the day I’m writing this post.

I’ve gotten my first PC on 2130. of September, 1993. That period I remember as the age of the burning concrete under my feet, my skateboard rolling on an empty playground while the never ending sunset paints gradients on the clear sky.

I’m almost sad that The Internet landlocked me inside my room and destroyed my need for socialization. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m introverted or indoctrinated, my mind reprogrammed for instant information access and shallow relations with people made out of bits rather than flesh.

On the other hand, it did unfold my village walls and gave me access to the world; showing me other people, their needs and wants. It evolved me into a superior being: a leftist. It’s hard to be open minded about things you don’t even know exist, and me being surrounded by cows and potato fields could only push me that far.

It’s hard not to be seduced by this. It’s embracing the evolution, just like monkeys embraced the Monolith.

At that time, The Internet was something wholesome. If you were into anime, or games, or Star Wars books, you could easily find your online posse. Sure, there were a few guys flashing avatars of their penises, telling me it’s not for me but for teh ladiez, but otherwise it was very pleasant.

In the early nineties, the main hazard for this lovely period was September. As school was starting, a lot of kids would gain access to Usenet and start flooding it with typical childish evergreen annoyances. They would soon lose interest and leave, which restored The Internet. So sure, Septembers suck, but usually it’s still that good old The Internet we all love and live.

It is 1. of September, 1993. The Eternal September starts. The Internet is permanently disfigured. Kids are coming and this time they are staying. The toxicity is still manageable but it’s also ever-present.

It is 6148. of September, 1993. The Internet is part of our DNA, a storm of microplastics polluting our veins. It’s so intense, our real life vocabulary is getting spammed with acronyms and memes transcripts. The web itself is contaminated and there’s no going back.

It is 9802. of September, 1993. As the pandemic is wrecking our lungs, we are on The Internet. We were there before and we will stay there. We are never, ever lonely. We can’t react to bad news anymore, there is no empathy or sympathy. For all intents and purposes – we are dead. New generations are raised on The Internet. False optics and online harassment are telling us we are not worthy of love. If we are not dead, we want to be. Both bandwidth speeds and suicide rates are spiking.

It is 11486. of September, 1993. The Eternal September doesn’t mean anything anymore. Time before it is time before The Internet.

There is no escape.