Dead Internet Theory?

[ravenhappy]

A beloved family member is convinced that a terrible idea that they have found online is real and true. They believe they have evidence in the sense of providing links to supportive online content. I have been trying to connect with them, and find a way to help them. Their current state is distraught and anxious. Just now I was thinking that maybe helping them to understand that anything online is suspect, "take it with a grain of salt!", which is something I learned early, last millennium, would be helpful. I specifically and definitely(!) remember hearing about the dead internet theory in 2012, yet, I can't find any good references from then! I've googled, archive.org'd (unskillfully), and even thought to check Yandex, but balked at enabling js. Here's my question: can anyone here provide an origin or references for the "Dead Internet" theory? (That predate 2016, which is when Wikipedia says the idea occurred)

[clejack]

Instead of trying to disprove the dead Internet theory, try asking your friend about it. Ask why they believe it. Ask why it matters. Ask why it matters in the context of the real world with its real, living people. You probably won't be able to walk them back with evidence, but you might be able to walk them back by unraveling them with their own thought process.

See if you can take a walk at the park with this person and just observe the world. The Internet came to be not very long ago, the idea of allowing yourself to fall apart due to its decayed state is silly.

[talldayo]

It used to be a 4chan copypasta. KnowYourMeme[0] says it started in 2019 but I want to say that I remember it well before 2016, maybe as early back as 2012 (?)

I guess the biggest thing to understand is that a lot of 4chan users (on /pol/ and /x/ and plenty other places) just make up stuff as bear-baiting pranks on their fellow users who are typically very vulnerable[1]. Dead internet theory is something that inherently appeals to people that feel put-out by society and ostracized from the rest of the internet at-large. People buy into this shtick because they feel as though the internet ignores them, or that coincidences in a pool of billions of users confirms that it's all The Matrix somehow. It's a very fast-and-loose mentality that traditionally strings together conspiracy theories to make a compelling narrative.

I'd suggest helping your family member find real-life support that affirms their faith in humanity. The internet is not all there is to life, and even if it was all controlled by a shadow organization there would still be reason for hope. With a bit of perspective, it's easy to see why total control over digital information is neither desirable nor entirely possible.

[0] https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/dead-internet-theory

[1] https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/832431-iphone

[ravenhappy]

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry, because now when I read my original submission I see that it is ambiguous. The "terrible idea" that causes my beloved family member grief is not the dead internet theory. I intentionally didn't share the scary idea that they've latched on to. My question about the dead internet theory is related to my (perhaps foolish) idea that sharing the truth of ambiguity re online content might help. And then, trying to find a good source for the Dead Internet theory, I couldn't!

[big-green-man]

https://forum.agoraroad.com/index.php?threads/dead-internet-...

[DemocracyFTW2]

> balked at enabling js

so you're afraid of JavaScript but want to help someone who got stuck on a ridiculous conspiracy theory?

Try find some funny and insightful video on Birds Are Not Real, which is a prank some people did years ago to demonstrate that some people believe arbitrary sh*t.

[ravenhappy]

Come on now, please don't be mean! I'm pragmatic and JavaScript has been capable of exploiting speculative execution issues for a long time. I feel like I'm being cautious, and don't feel fearful, but, you, like my beloved family member, seem to think I'm the crazy one.

[whatnotests2]

I went through something like this with my ex.

One day, she was fine.

The next day, it was all about The Beatles conspiracy theories which never seem to end. Ever.

I stuck with her for two years before finally, reluctantly, leaving. We divorced a few years later, by which time her psychotic break had finished.

It was truly awful. I didn't understand it at the time, and was angry then guilty. I should have dragged her to a hospital for examination, but I didn't.

Get your friend some professional help.