Within the context of technology I think that it’s very important to know that we are and aren’t the ones that put the information into the web. Of course in earlier years of the web's life humans were putting all the information in. But, we have gotten to a point in our world that there are sources that put information out from all of the past logs. So with the idea of building a website I think that it's important to build it, and nurture it like it’s a plant. Laurel Schwulst brought up a great point that websites are both the subject and object and we need it to be powered by individuals. Not by bigger corporations or ai. We are the artists, authors, engineers, and builders all in one and we must cherish this power we have. It is a skill that must grow but it’s much more appealing as humans to build a website from the ground up vs something doing it automatically. Moreover, knowing the foundations before jumping into the deep end of design. So it can be more innovative and natural.
With making websites and the idea of the handmade web. I really appreciate the way J.R. Carpenter explains the ways in which making websites is very similar to the ways in which we create physical media. It’s always growing! It can be whatever you make of it and it’s all up to the artist to create their own handmade web. One quote I particularly liked from the reading is, “It was a web of sudden connections and personal links. Pages were built on the edge of tomorrow, full of hope for a faster connection and a more powerful computer.” I like this quote a lot because it details in a meaningful way that websites build new worlds and will always be around.
Being a part of the last generation who grew up alongside technology. This article was very interesting to read through and gave me such a nostalgic feeling. I really enjoyed Parimal’s thought process and agree that our internet is not the same as it was 10, or even 20 years ago. The web was so interesting during that time because it was a space where people from around the world could share, create, and build a platform for their interests. Every small webpage I’ve encountered is so unique. Never following a specific guideline or “polished” ideal that we’ve grown accustomed to. They had pops of color, gifs everywhere, simple typography, and let their own website speak for themself. But now, it's just scrolling. Scroll. Scroll. Scroll. I like this. Retweet that. We as a society have forgotten what it means to browse and be online. One thing I wish our web of today maintained is the idea of browsing. As of 2025, a lot of us have gotten used to the fastness and precision of algorithmic principals. Hell, even I have fallen accustomed to the ways of now where I spend hours upon hours scrolling through TIktok, Twitter, and Instagram. But, learning from others experiences with the web and taking this course has made me feel inspired to make something that’s browsable, and expressive. Like the days of our past.
This reading has really put it into perspective on how a lot of society right now, on the online sphere has many problems that shape the way we live today. Ideas like a rough blend of a “work-life balance”, addiction to the constant attention of social media, writing and showing a morphed perspective within stories, and many many more. The internet used to be a place where people could roam free and explore within their leisure. Not worrying about time too much but still having a grapple with reality. Nowadays it feels as though we are living through a mix of ideals. One from the online realm and one from the real world. Things from the internet will affect how you’re perceived in the real world and vice versa. Even stuff like paying for food has digitalized within itself with the rise of apple and google pay. One other interesting thing that the reading has talked about was the idea that if they are not selling to you; you are the product. This idea has grown to a lot of common and simple social media spots nowadays. Places like youtube, instagram, tiktok, twitter, all of these spaces are programs to help build community. However, if it’s not selling to you directly that means in a way we are paying for all of this. Whether it be watching a lot of ads, seeing promotions from your favorite creator, and many many more. The internet is a weird place. It’s a digital worm hole and that is the story I have gotten from this reading.