I sometimes think about my life before the Internet. The world seemed so much sharper and more interesting and beautiful. I never liked crowds or people much, but the world itself was enjoyable and full of new experiences. Just going to the library was a great pleasure for me, and the smell of the library made me feel happy. And I had actual hobbies. Drawing, reading, writing stories, playing an instrument, electronics, hiking, etc. Now, I have no hobbies. I do nothing with my free time but get online, either on my phone or laptop, and watch YouTube videos or check forums. And then I wonder why I'm constantly fucking depressed and have been for 25 years.

There's more to my problems than the Internet, and I certainly don't blame it for all the wrongs in the world, but the Internet has become a constant tool of escapism and a source of endless dopamine hits. And how much better is watching YouTube than television? You're still passively absorbing someone else's opinions, creativity, and skills, most often without ever questioning what you heard or attempting a skill you might have observed. Many adults are in this boat, even though we laugh at young people who are always on their phones.

And the result of this, aside from the majority of the adult population of the world having lost touch with what makes them happy and drives them, is that we all hate each other. We're pumped full of rage for anyone who doesn't agree with us, fed constant lies by the media, mentally bamboozled and twisted by whatever images a "content creator" chooses to insert into their videos. For me, it has led to terrible mistrust of almost every person I encounter. So I avoid socializing at all costs, beyond what I'm forced to do to stay alive. And so the evil ones win when we all avoid and hate each other. What's even the point of life if that is how we spend it?

In less than a hundred years, Western society has devolved into this. The USA has already slipped over the edge. Europe is toast. The rest of the world is no better, all addicted to technology and to their own base desires and selfishness. It's a battle that will only be won if we all change our individual selves and unplug from the "matrix" of endless mindless entertainment and escapism. But it is much easier said than done.