The Internet We Lost: A Case for Reclaiming the Small Web

The nostalgia for the early internet reflects a growing cultural backlash against platform consolidation, with users increasingly seeking decentralized alternatives like the Fediverse and independent web spaces. As five major companies now control most online engagement, the movement toward small web platforms signals deeper concerns about algorithmic control and the loss of niche, passion-driven communities. This shift highlights the importance of supporting decentralized infrastructure as a counterweight to corporate dominance of internet spaces.