From destination to omnipresence: How the internet lost its doorway
By
Nina Tarpley
1mo ago· 5 min readenOpinion
75/100
Toasty
Bagelometer↗
A second-rack bagel that's nearly first-rack. Tasty stuff.
Score75TypeopinionSentimentnegative
Summary
A reflective piece comparing the early internet era—when accessing the web required deliberate effort, dedicated spaces, and conscious departure—to today's always-on, pervasive digital environment. The author argues that the internet has transformed from a destination one visits to an omnipresent force that erodes the boundary between online and offline life, raising concerns about constant surveillance and loss of intentional digital engagement.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledNot too long ago, the internet was a place you visited.
You had to purposefully arrive at the internet, and when done, you left it behind until next time.
Always on, always watching, the internet is no longer a place to arrive at and explore but instead a panopticon-like environment.
Not too long ago, the internet was a place you visited. The family desktop sat in its designated closet or back office. In schools, there were rooms filled with computers blinking in tandem, waiting for your class to arrive and hop online. You had to purp
