Web forums throughout history

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prom77/4605755892/in/photolist-81ZGLm-hvy1Ca-86nPQY-4Qa6Cg-u1o8o-Q5cVR-hamUxh-6PG9ro-9rMV1m-oUf7rb-8cNyss-73BLZm-7Mhj3x-htL67R-tJANm-nQNRE3-f8d1iQ-e9KGog-5AZh1Z-8DAwse-o8bBXL-8gvmAK-o8jfPF-o6g4QL-imRith-6AZxUv-r1SRrX-b951Ln-r1jZXx-nQQ4cC-gigEsc-qwL6e-qJAEHZ-r1MYox-qJtz7k-nTsguH-pcCwX4-r1XWDG-r1QpvJ-oWGxa5-qJCtG4-73ugX8-nQP6fP-83zxqq-6WFKZB-qYKnkN-nTsn9P-9bwF4r-73zoNZ-o8arvN
‘Sierra Road’ by Paul J. Rush (CC BY 2.0)

Just for a bit of idle procrastination, I’ve been looking back at online forums over the centuries. It’s really made me realise how much we depend on them. Think about it. If you have any complex problem, that requires consulting with an expert, all you need to do is to log in to one of these almost magical places, and some kind, constructive expert will be able to give you not just the information that you need, but also the encouragement you need to really make the most out of that information.

Unsurprisingly, web forums have been at the heart of some of humanity’s greatest discoveries.

For example*:

(* Warning: contains all the swearing. All of it.)

 

Isaac Newton studying Gravity

Newton

 

Buddha looking for the Middle Way

Buddha

 

General Meade planning the Battle of Gettysberg

Meade

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