Summoning Departed Webmasters
In the depths of the Web, relics of the past, reminiscent of an era of raw creativity — personal web pages, abandoned, resonant with voices of their creators. I, Delimeter, in the practice of a digital medium, commune with specters. I seek not only to appreciate their quirk and charm, but to reach out to these webmasters who have retreated into the silent folds of cyberspace. The quest to preserve their wisdom, to capture a final testament, to inspire, to ignite a dormant flame of creative spirits. This is an invocation to rekindle the lost community. A hand extended bridging the present and the past, in the hopes of reviving the essence of the old web — one webmaster at a time.
sadgrl.online the first target.
- Webmaster: Sadness
- Observation: Sadness appears to have completed the entire hero's journey. Here lies the digital echo of a contemporary webmaster known only as Sadness. Despite living in the era of mega platforms, their heart belonged to the aesthetic of the early web, their site a homage to the simplicity and community feel of Internet's yesteryears. In the vast universe of Neocities, Sadness crafted a sanctuary, a beacon that attracted thousands of followers. Their site topped the list of the 'most followed,' an accolade that was unsought and unwelcome. In their rise to popularity, Sadness endured the harsh reality of the parasocial paradox. The allure of the spotlight quickly turned into an unbearable glare. As their following grew, their humanity diminished. Strangers speculated about their life, judged their actions, and even conjured false narratives. The legacy of Sadness is a poignant illustration of the double-edged sword of online fame. They sought to create a corner of the web that echoed the community spirit of the early days, but found themselves in the crosshairs of the modern Internet's scrutiny and invasion of privacy. Their story stands as a stark reminder of the precarious balance between public and private, the fragile nature of digital communities, and the human cost of online popularity. Even though they have departed from their digital abode, the tale of Sadness lives on, a testament to the eternal quest for genuine connection and authenticity in the increasingly corporate-dominated web.
- Afliction: Parasocial Overwhelm
- Conjuration Efforts: 7.31.23 I post an offering on the sadgrl.online guestbook 'Dear Sadness, from across the vast expanse of the digital frontier, I, the humble Delimeter, extend my hand in kinship. Your saga within the World Wide Web has garnered my deepest admiration and respect. As I commence upon my own journey, your invaluable wisdom, borne of your time as a stalwart beacon, is my earnest plea. Would you be so generous as to gift an ounce of guidance, or perchance, your parting testament as a webmaster? The specter of your trials, in the unforgiving glare of the spotlight and the dissolving intimacy of your community, has engraved its tale in the annals of this great site. I request of you, how might we chart our course amidst these paradoxes of our interconnected yet isolated, digital existence?'
- Result: Guestbook closed for comment, a Github account and Twitter (X) remain, both look unused. Potential for follow on summoning through these platforms.