Is the Internet Just Getting Old?

I've seen a number of sites that I'm a regular "attender" at complain about things not being busy enough. Not the same level of growth. Maybe hitting a plateau, maybe even declining. There's not the same enthusiasm. Not the same level of energy. I don't have any statistical data from any of these sites, not that I would trust it anyway. Maybe alternative networks are forming on a smaller, more sustainable scale than "global". Perhaps the novelty is simply starting to wear off.

It does make sense to me. There are two things that people are looking for. One is simple routine. The other is human connection. The internet is such a huge place that it is impossible to comprehend it all. If you're like me, and have a ton of interests, there's always something new to see and learn. But most people, I fear, are tired of learning and exploring. They want simpler ways of moving through life. And they want easy ways to connect with their friends and family.

Which probably means that a similar decline is unlikely to be seen in cell phones. People's lives are increasingly overrun with conveniece. Sigh.