Now the internet is full of assholes who aren’t just autistic, but are self-aware assholes who profit from it in terms of money or attention.
100 percent. I was born in 1969. For me the best decade was the 90's. But I had a lot of fun in the 80's too.
Hmmm, maybe. But I don't remember it being nearly as prominent right now. Here on Lemmy, post a picture of a cute dog and prepare for replies with variations of, "Yeah, well now that Trump is president, get used to not being able to afford a dog!" or "Wow, look at that. I'll never be able to afford a house now. Since fascists voted in a dictator. The closest I'll get to a dog is having to eat dog food because it's all I can afford on my way to the deathcamps!"
Ugh, it just EVERYWHERE now. Also back then it seemed to be smarter people arguing because the cost of admission was higher to get into the computer world--both in intelligence and money.
But to your point, I wasn't THAT smart or rich, so I guess I was never in the hardcore argument worlds. I was reading BASIC magazine and trying to write cool programs that showed colored lines. BBS was more of "OMG I am talking to someone in another state without using the mail!" lolol