Review of Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and the Internet
When I first heard about Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and the Internet by Taylor Lorenz, I felt a wave of excitement wash over me. As someone who has spent countless hours navigating the vast, chaotic plains of the internet, the idea of a social history capturing all the nuances and moments of online culture seemed irresistible. The glimpses of the book’s index that Lorenz shared on social media tantalized my curiosity, promising a deeply engaging exploration of our collective digital experience.
As I dove into Extremely Online, I found that while Lorenz covers a great deal of territory, illuminating several Internet Moments many of us have lived through, I struggled with how the narrative unfolded. The book’s linear structure, while straightforward, often led to confusion as Lorenz would introduce topics, move on, and then circle back in a way that muddled the timeline. For a reader invested in the threads of online culture, this jumping around felt frustrating. I wanted a more cohesive narrative that captured the organic interactions between users and platforms without breaching into overly familiar territory concerning Big Tech and its founders.
Though the chapters detailing the histories of Instagram and Twitter are undeniably relevant, they also felt repetitive. I craved a deeper exploration into the movements and creators who have shaped the internet, a wish that the book sometimes fulfilled, but not consistently enough. One of the bright spots for me was the segment dedicated to Vine—here, Lorenz highlighted the creators at the core of the app, making their influence palpable and engaging. This focus on users rather than just the platforms themselves resonated with me as it underlined her overarching thesis: users not only shape the internet but also the culture within it.
While Lorenz touches on the lack of representation among Black creators, the absence of discussion about East/South Asian or Latinx influencers left me yearning for a more inclusive narrative. I understand the limitations of covering such a vast topic; however, it did feel more like a collection of well-trodden New York Times articles than an "untold" story. Perhaps for those less steeped in digital culture, this book could serve as an intriguing recap, but for someone like me, an "extremely online" person, it felt almost like a nostalgic trip rather than a revelation.
In the end, Extremely Online may appeal to those looking for an overview of internet history rather than deep dives into the complexities of online culture. I had hoped for a more nuanced exploration, one that would draw connections and offer fresh insights. Instead, I came away feeling like I had revisited familiar landscapes without uncovering any new treasures. For readers with different expectations—or perhaps those who haven’t spent their lives scrolling through feeds—it might just be the engaging read they’re looking for.
Ultimately, while this book didn’t quite meet my hopes, it sparked a meaningful reflection on our online lives. And isn’t that, in some way, a testament to the continuous evolution of the spaces we inhabit and the stories we share?
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