Anti-social Media

Dedicated non-readers of this space know that Topix has been steadily tumbling downhill like a load of misplaced socks, for a couple years now. Their business model appeared to be distinctly troll-centric. They seemed to be letting the inmates run the asylum, possibly thinking that this gave them control and erroneously believing the same and that it was also a good idea. It wasn't.

When I first visited the Chicago Forum in '08, that forum at least, was tied into the Chicago Tribune newspaper with all of it's media savvy and resources. With local and national news and sports, it was pretty damn interesting every day, offering something for everyone. The dregs had their advice columns to obsess over. Depending on the season there was always a yesterday's game to be dissected. There was crime and politics to fret over as well. It was like a digital version of the Trib and that was the future.

At some point the Chicago Tribune realized that and, like every other newspaper in America, created their own digital version of them self. In 2009 the Trib bailed and left Topix to fend for itself. It absolutely killed the Chicago Forum but I don't think the rest of Topixland noticed at all. It was probably business as usual on Offbeat which had always been a troll mecca anyway. And the thousands of small town forums that truly make Topix what they are, also carried on as per usual.

These days, everyone but the coolest kids are on Facebook. The cool kids might be on Instagram or something I haven't heard of and my nieces and nephews won't tell Mean Old Uncle Ferrerman because old people like him really ruined Facebook!  Every TV show has a page that fans can comment on. There are political sites galore. If you want to discuss it, it is there. You probably noticed that.

I understand, BTW, that kids think we ruined Facebook. If the internet had been around when I Was A Teenaged Ferrerman, I wouldn't have wanted my aunts and uncles on there with me. But, Facebook evolved into a world-wide, all inclusive media sensation because that made good business sense.

Topix opted to devolve into trolling for fun and profit. Mind you, these FB sites whether they are political or of some reality TV show are heavily trolled. The thing is, people fighting amongst themselves is not their business model. It just happens- and happens a lot- because people are basically assholes. I watched a video yesterday of a scientist at Chicago's Field Museum lamenting the bizarre, sexist comments on Youtube videos that she makes. She's just trying to educate people about dinosaur poop or something and nerds are hitting on her. But, people have been mean too. That's the internet.

It's ironic- fucking ironic, I must say- that the one thing Topix tries to do right is one of it's major handicaps. You can't swear on Topix. They have filters that kick out the common bad words and keep most posters from getting a post through with them. I think mods can over-ride that though or, people who are friendly with mods can get away wit a fuck or shit here and there. I see a lot of the usual suspects getting away with language on a fairly regular basis. It's amazing and amusing because I've seen people swearing on the NPR site. Any site really and I suppose you could complain but, no one seems to care. Like asking the nerdy scientist lady to wear more provocative clothing, it's just the way the internet is...

Fucking ironic indeed! Topix managed to get out-topixed by everyone else on the internet!

Topix is email with an audience. It's Princess Billy talking to his imaginary twin sister about how women adore him, hoping that people post back about what an obnoxious sissy he is. Topix is the Clique gang harassing a silly woman in North Carolina, hoping to  destroy her marriage and drive her off the threads. Topix is Sublime detailing his perceived life as one to be coveted by all persons who are- sadly-  not-Sublime. Topix is fake internet therapists infiltrating groups of posters for reasons known only to fake internet therapists. It is tribes, making war on Ferrermen and Hegel's and anyone who dares post with them. I would imagine it's a similar scenario on every podunk forum throughout Topixland. To paraphrase my old friend, AMC, it's folks puttin' on their fightin' hats. It's all about trolling.

The mods, like the Chicago Police at the 1968 Democratic Convention, are not there to create disorder, they are there to preserve disorder. There is less and less to preserve each day.

Well, I'm off to check my Myspace page! See ya there!