Eps 3: where are they now 1990s kids internet guide
The podcast delves into the current whereabouts and careers of individuals who created popular internet guides for kids in the 1990s. It highlights how these early internet pioneers have evolved with changing technology, often transitioning into roles within major tech companies, education, and digital content creation. Some have become influential in shaping online safety protocols, while others have founded successful startups or become advocates for digital literacy. The podcast provides a nostalgic yet informative look at how these early contributors to internet culture have adapted and thrived in the digital age.
| Seed data: | Link 1 |
|---|---|
| Host image: | StyleGAN neural net |
| Content creation: | GPT-3.5, |
Host
Ernest Price
Podcast Content
While today’s digital natives navigate effortlessly through social media, cloud storage, and endless streaming services, '90s kids served as the internet’s pioneering explorers. Nostalgic for their early online experiences, many of them have evolved into tech-savvy adults shaping the digital world we know today. Some became the developers and engineers who helped build Silicon Valley, using their childhood curiosity to innovate and create. Others went on to become digital strategists, cybersecurity experts, and even trailblazing influencers who understand the value of an engaging online presence.
A number of these former '90s kids have careers that directly capitalize on their early exposure to the digital landscape. Imagine web designers who can trace their roots back to GeoCities and Neopets, or journalists who got their first taste of publishing through school projects printed from Britannica Online. Meanwhile, those fascinated by the social aspect of early chatrooms have perhaps gone on to careers in social media management or digital community-building.
It's also fascinating to consider those who leveraged their internet skills to pivot their careers. Artists who originally scanned and uploaded their sketches to primitive art forums now running influential digital art platforms. DJs and musicians who once shared their mixtapes on Napster now headline festivals with millions of followers on Spotify and SoundCloud.
Then there's the other side of the coin—those who took their tech skills to unconventional realms. Teachers who integrate coding into elementary curriculum, entrepreneurs who’ve created apps and e-commerce sites, and healthcare professionals who are now telemedicine trailblazers. Each of these kids-turned-adults carries with them the DNA of a digital age that was burgeoning when they were just mastering the basics of HTML in their bedrooms.
Yet, despite the vast professional advancements, these '90s kids never forget where they came from. Retro gaming nights featuring original Nintendo consoles, Facebook groups celebrating '90s internet culture, and an everlasting fondness for an era where “You’ve got mail!” was a thrill—all serve as a nostalgic reminder of how far the internet and its users have come. For this unique generation, the formative years spent navigating the internet’s rudimentary stages have indelibly influenced their personal and professional growth, creating a fascinating blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking innovation.
So, as we look around today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, it’s clear that '90s kids haven’t just kept up with the evolution of the internet—they’ve been integral to its very progress. They’ve taken the lessons learned from those early, clunky days of the web and transformed them into a digital footprint that bridges the gap between what was and what is yet to come.