The future of the web
The future of the web feels uncertain. While Discord and other platforms have faced similar challenges, it’s perhaps the biggest names that have left us wondering what’s next for online communication. From Twitter rate limit frustrations to Reddit’s recent dismissal of rebellious moderators, the future shape of the web feels uncertain.
You could say the Discord experience hasn’t degraded like Twitter, but for many, it’s the revenue-focused changes to the voice chat service that have caused concern. Likewise, the ways we communicate and share media online are undergoing a fundamental change, and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Changes to communication and media sharing
The way we communicate and share media is changing. It’s not just the rise of social video platforms like Twitch that has caused some damage, but changes to YouTube that have led to revenue-related turmoil.
Free services are now seeking ways to make more money, but the solutions may not be sustainable. For example, Twitter’s algorithmic timeline may be a way to recoup revenue, but the experience is so far from the organic discovery of Web 1.0 that it feels like a step in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile, the rise of AI technology adds to the uncertainty of the future of online communication. From the emergence of cryptocurrency and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that promise to reshape online gaming, to the way we consume content, the future is opaque.
The promise of decentralization
Decentralization is the popular vision for the future of the web, but its implementation remains uncertain. Sure, there are Twitter alternatives like Bluesky and Mastodon that present decentralized options, but as of yet, we don’t know if they’ll stick around.
Likewise, while the recent firing of moderator ‘Azu’ from the Mastodon instance Mastodon.Social may seem like a victory for decentralization, it’s uncertain whether it’s a sign of things to come. Reddit’s recent actions have undermined the notion of subreddits as independent communities, and there’s no indication that Facebook’s Threads will relinquish control to its users.
In fact, the idea of returning to pre-social media forum culture has gained traction in recent years, as people look for smaller, self-contained communities. While Discord’s popularity suggests a desire for smaller, self-contained communities, the size of its user base suggests the web may not shrink.
The uncertain future
So, what will the future of the web look like? Well, there’s no real way to know. The rise of streamers signing lucrative deals certainly suggests a shift in media consumption habits, but the future shape of the web remains unpredictable.
Perhaps niche enclaves may not become the norm again, but the future of the web feels uncertain nonetheless. So much so that a guide has been written on how to get started with Discord, because while the uncertainty surrounding the future of the web leaves many questions unanswered, there’s one thing we know for sure – Discord is here to stay.
