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Poolsuite FM, and the Dead Internet Theory

  • Design, Other

The internet is becoming increasingly garbage. We live in a world where every click is tracked, every scroll is analyzed, and – more often than not – the content you’re interacting with online has been created for the sole reason to farm traffic. Hell – even this website is advertising something – myself.

It’s something called the ‘Dead Internet Theory’. What once was a pretty outrageous conspiracy theory has now proved correct. At a surface level, it suggests the majority of online content is devoid of genuine human interaction… and has been since 2017. It suggests that the internet, which was was once a beacon of connectivity and knowledge sharing has devolved into a landscape dominated by engagement farming and algorithmic manipulation. Bots, or in 2024 ‘AI’, are intentionally created to manipulate algorithms, boost search results, and manipulate consumer behavior. There’s even whispers of government agencies of using bots to shape public perception – but that’s a whole rabbit hole.

But its just a theory… right? Well, not really. The last few years, especially with the rise of AI has proved it.

Take any social media platform, and you’ll see the Dead Internet Theory in practice. Facebook threads are littered with bot-generated comments and content. Business Insider wrote a fantastic article titled ‘Garbage AI posts like Shrimp Jesus are destroying Facebook’ – discussing exactly this. Talking about how the majority of peoples’ Facebook feeds are overrun with AI generated engagement farming. X isn’t any better. With Elon Musk’s overhaul of the verification system, any paying customer with a checkmark is automatically favored by the algorithm – resulting in nearly every viral tweet consisting of replies that aren’t actual humans. New platforms aren’t safe either. TikTok has seen an uproar in videos featuring AI voices reading top reddit posts, 90% of which are directly from a Discord focused on trying to farm and automate bots to make them money from the creator fund.

And it’s not just social media. With the rise of influencer marketing and sponsored content, genuine human expression is increasingly commodified for commercial gain. Keyword-stuffed blogs and clickbait-driven articles dominate search engine results, drowning out genuine voices in a sea of algorithmic noise. Engagement farming is killing online content.Recently, an study by the New York Times recently discovered that 40% of Gen Z users now prefer TikTok over Google when looking for information. If that’s not a sign we’re screwed, I don’t know what is.

However, in the midst of this dystopia – there are still authentic online spaces that feel good. They don’t run for profit, they’re not trying to appeal to everyone, rank or advertise. They do it for a genuine love of the craft, to make something they – and other people – will enjoy. And it’s something we don’t see enough of these days.

My latest find has been Poolsuite FM. It’s a hyper-stylized website where you can tune into a poolside music radio station, all within the comfort of your own home. With a unique 90’s Mac aesthetic, it’s not just cool—but exceptionally well-crafted and devoid of the mindless brainrot or invasive ads we’re used to. The UI alone is a testament for Marty’s love of design and development, creating an experience that feels meaningful.

Poolsuite started its journey as Poolside.FM back in 2014, when founder Marty Bell launched an upbeat 1990s music Tumblr site. Over time, in collaboration with Grant MacLennan, Bell transformed Poolside into a standalone website with a Classic Mac OS-inspired desktop environment, complete with 1990s music and nostalgic video clips from TV shows and movies. It’s a fantastic website, and definitely one worth checking out.

 

Poolsuite – https://poolsuite.net/

And its not just Poolsuite that does a standout job. Here’s some other sites that are anything but ‘dead’. They have an idea, execute it well, don’t overstay their welcome and don’t want anything from it (aside from maybe a couple bucks in Google Ads). They’re all fantastic, and worth your time!

A Dark Room – https://adarkroom.doublespeakgames.com/
An older one from my high school days, A Dark Room stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in its simplest form. It’s a simple text-based game that runs in the browser – completely void of imagery or distractions. The entire interface is a blank website with Times New Roman text – and it works. It’s an absolutely cracking game, that proves you don’t need flashy graphics or ad-driven monetization to create an engaging online experience.

Lofi Cafe – https://www.lofi.cafe/
Lofi Cafe is effectively a more down-tempo version of Poolsuite. Playing off the success of Lofi Girl, Lofi Cafe is a digital sanctuary for those seeking relaxation and inspiration. Stylized like a classic CRT TV, the website offers a selection of lo-fi radio stations and ambient sounds – with accompanying visuals the user can flick between.

Window Swap – https://www.window-swap.com/
Window Swap is a bit more left field – inviting users to experience the world from the comfort of their living room. Self-dubbed “the calmest place on the internet,” the site allows users to look through the physical windows of contributors. One second you’ll be looking at the bustling night life of Rio, the next the slopes of Christchurch. With a global community of contributors, Window Swap fosters a unique sense of unity and curiosity rivaled only by the likes of livestreaming giants. You can even sign up to stream your own window!

And finally, some cool blogs. Finding genuinely good blogs nowadays feels nearly impossible. They’re magnets for SEO and keyword stuffing – with nearly every blog existing solely to boost search rankings. While genuine passion is scarce – there are a few exceptions. Here’s two of my favorites.

Pluralistic – https://pluralistic.net/
Pluralistic, curated by media theorist Cory Doctorow, provides a platform for insightful commentary on technology, culture, and society. The site features a variety of his works – regular links to various sites he finds interesting, lectures and research papers he has worked on (including a huge amount of content regarding ‘enshittification’, the downfall of modern social media platforms and modern internet privacy). All in all, with a focus on substance over clicks, its a cracking site with some really interesting reads if tech humanities / cybernetics is something you’re into.

Maia Crimew – https://maia.crimew.gay/
This one is a bit left field, but it’s contents is fascinating. You may know Maia from leaking the TSA No Fly List last year which is an rabbits hole in itself. The blog offers a unique blend of investigative journalism and hacktivism presented in a delightfully retro 90s aesthetic. The website delves into topics such as privacy, ethical hacking, and Maia’s own investigative works. With its provocative content and bold design, the blog challenges conventional notions of online discourse, offering a platform for dissent and creativity.

So… yeah! Aside from the gloom of the internet’s inevitable downfall – I hope you enjoyed these links, or at the very least, inspired you to go out and find some other interesting sites and report back! Not everything is dead and, until 10 years time where online interaction is done entirely through Fortnite, I hope you enjoy your time here.

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