TL;DR
Writer Daniel Brendel reflects on widespread fatigue with modern social media, contrasting today’s ad-driven networks with earlier, desktop-era chat systems and forums. He explores experiments with decentralized platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky but reports low engagement and persistent commercial pressures.
What happened
In a personal essay published by Daniel Brendel, the author describes growing tiredness with mainstream social networks and a longing for how online interaction felt two decades ago. He recalls early instant-messaging and client-server chat tools — ICQ, MSN, IRC, Skype, TeamSpeak, Ventrilo and Mumble — and forums as organizing spaces for communities. Brendel argues the internet has become increasingly commercialized, concentrated in a few big platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Twitter, and that monetization incentives have amplified controversy, hate speech, ads and misinformation. He tried decentralized alternatives in the Fediverse, notably Mastodon, and later Bluesky; while initially promising, those experiences left him feeling that posts often reach empty audiences. He also cites the term “Enshittification” and uses Google Play as an example of platform power dynamics. Ultimately the author says many peers, and he himself, are simply worn out by social media.
Why it matters
- Widespread user fatigue could reshape how people choose to spend time online and which platforms retain active communities.
- Consolidation of social interaction on a few platforms concentrates commercial incentives that can prioritize engagement over quality of discourse, according to the author.
- AI-generated rage and click-bait content and aggressive monetization are cited as factors that worsen the browsing experience and spread misinformation.
- Decentralized networks like Mastodon and Bluesky are presented as alternatives but may struggle to sustain meaningful engagement, per the author’s account.
Key facts
- Piece authored by Daniel Brendel and published on Jan. 6, 2026 (source timestamp).
- Brendel recalls older communication tools: ICQ, MSN, IRC, Skype, TeamSpeak, Ventrilo, Mumble and online forums.
- He names current dominant platforms as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Twitter.
- The author experimented with the Fediverse (Mastodon) and later moved to Bluesky; both experiences fell short of expectations.
- He describes rising problems such as hate speech, heavy advertising, misinformation and AI-generated rage/click-bait content.
- The post references the concept of “Enshittification” and uses Google Play as an example of perceived platform power abuse.
- Brendel says he typically posts development-related items online and then disengages, and that many peers report similar tiredness.
- The page footer lists 'Visitors: 19.1K' and © 2026 by Daniel Brendel (as shown in the source).
- The World Happiness Report is cited in the piece (no further data from that report is provided in the source).
What to watch next
- Whether decentralized networks such as Mastodon or Bluesky can develop sustained, attentive communities rather than fragmented, low-engagement posts — not confirmed in the source.
- The impact of AI-generated rage and click-bait content on user experience and platform moderation practices going forward — not confirmed in the source.
- If dominant platforms will change monetization or curation policies to reduce what the author calls 'enshittification' — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Fediverse: A collection of interoperable, often open-source social networking servers that communicate using shared protocols to allow cross-instance interaction.
- Mastodon: An open-source, federated social networking platform that is part of the Fediverse; users join instances that can interact with one another.
- Bluesky: A social networking project mentioned by the author as an alternative platform; described in the source as another place he tried after Mastodon.
- Enshittification: A term used to describe the perceived decline in quality of digital platforms as they become more commercialized and focused on monetization.
- AI-generated content: Material produced or assembled by artificial intelligence systems; the author warns it can be used to amplify click-bait and inflammatory content.
Reader FAQ
Why does the author say people are tired of social media?
He cites commercialization, concentrated platforms, heavy advertising, hate speech, misinformation and AI-driven rage/click-bait as reasons for fatigue.
Did the author find a successful alternative to mainstream platforms?
Not really; he tried Mastodon and later Bluesky but felt posts often went into the void and engagement was low.
Does the piece provide data showing a decline in social media use?
Not confirmed in the source.
Does the author offer concrete solutions?
Not confirmed in the source; the author mainly reflects on personal fatigue and experiments with alternatives rather than proposing a detailed plan.
Are we tired of social media once and for all? Posted by Daniel Brendel 9 months ago I've been asking this question to myself a few times now. When I…
Sources
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