A Web Revival: the Internet didn't die, you're just not on it
The modern internet has been captured by a handful of algorithm-driven platforms designed to harvest attention and data. A grassroots movement called the **web revival** (or Indie Web) has been growing since ~2016, reclaiming the personal, creative, community-driven spirit of the early internet through individually owned websites that link to each other. ---
Key Concepts
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Web Revival | A growing movement since ~2016 of people building and maintaining personal websites as an alternative to Big Tech platforms |
| Indie Web | The broader network of personal websites owned by individuals, all interconnected through links pages and web rings |
| Web Ring | A curated collection of thematically related websites that link to one another, enabling discovery through browsing |
| Static Site Hosting | Free services (e.g., NeoCities, NicoWeb) that host personal websites without requiring real-name identity |
| Intentional Internet | The idea that personal websites represent deliberate, passion-driven creation rather than algorithmically induced passive consumption |
Notes
The Problem with Modern Social Media
- Major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X) are designed to maximize time-on-app and ad exposure
- Algorithms create echo chambers and exploit attention spans
- Users are increasingly required to surrender personal identity just to participate
- No creative control — users can't even customize their own profile layouts
- Data harvesting is normalized and largely accepted
What the Early Web Was Like
- Personal websites on GeoCities, Xpages; profiles on Neopets; messaging via AIM and MSN
- People owned their own corners of the internet and linked to each other
- Slower-paced, personal, creative, and social — without dedicated "social media" platforms
- Even MySpace gave users full control over profile appearance
The Author's Personal Website
- Built January 1, 2023 on NeoCities; in progress for 3+ years
- Contains pixel art, JavaScript games, and a live chat room
- Chat room is the centerpiece — modeled after old chat sites and web cafes
- No friends or family know it exists; driven purely by passion and nostalgia
- Receives dozens of visitors daily — all from web surfing, no promotion on Big Tech platforms
How the Author Discovered the Web Revival
- Entry point: **lowtechmagazine.com** — a solar-powered online magazine about low-tech solutions
- Goes offline sometimes due to solar dependency
- Found a fan-made **low-tech web ring** inspired by it; spent hours following links
- Each site linked to ~30 others, creating a deep rabbit hole of discovery
- Eventually found **Melon King's website** — an artist whose retro web forum and community captured the early-2000s internet feeling
- Melon's site was the catalyst for the author building their own website
What the Indie Web Is Like Today
- Thousands of active personal websites in 2026
- People link to each other via **links pages** ("net neighbors")
- Visitors are often web surfers on a journey across the net
- Pace is slower and more intentional — compared to Discord/Instagram being "New York City," the Indie Web is "the countryside"
- Community and friendships are real and meaningful
How to Join — Practical Notes
- No coding experience required; tutorials, templates, and pre-made layouts are widely available
- Free hosting options: **NeoCities**, **NicoWeb**
- Only needs a valid email to sign up — no real identity required
- Can run a site on cheap hardware (~$20 computer); home server hosting also an option
- Personal sites are never truly "finished" — they evolve continuously
- You don't even need your own site to participate — just visit, comment, sign guestbooks
Leaving Discord (Bonus Tips)
- **Discord Chat Exporter**: archives chats locally before leaving
- **Discrub**: automates deletion of your messages (~3 seconds/message, runs in background in Brave browser)
- Author deleted 100,000+ messages this way
Actionable Takeaways
- Visit **lowtechmagazine.com** and follow its web ring to start discovering the Indie Web organically
- Sign up for a free account on **NeoCities** or **NicoWeb** and start a personal website — no coding experience needed
- Browse the resource list compiled by the **32-bit Cafe community** (linked in video description) for everything needed to build and run a site
- Add a **links page** to your site and exchange links with other personal site owners
- Engage without building: visit personal sites, sign guestbooks, leave messages, participate in chat rooms
- If leaving Discord, use **Discord Chat Exporter** + **Discrub** to archive and delete your data first
Quotes Worth Keeping
When we scroll endlessly, are we really exploring the World Wide Web or are we being herded like cattle into digital cages?
Personal sites seem to evolve continuously over time. They grow as you grow.
If Discord or Instagram are like New York City, the Indie Web is like the countryside, dotted with small towns and villages.
Each link is like a portal.