This 1998 Washington Post webpage shows just how broken the web of today is
Today’s WWW is a dystopian hellscape in comparison, where content is usurped by marketing
If you’re under the age of 30, I know what you’re thinking. “That’s what the web looked like in 1998?” Sure, it looks incredibly dated now. Sparse even, right? Our design sensibilities have undoubtedly moved on since the 90s. But for all the advancements made in the realm of web design, strides made in the name of user experience, it would appear certain standards have regressed.
The functional, almost utilitarian aspect of consuming content in the 90s has, seemingly, been replaced by the loudest voice (or voices) from the marketing team*. If I sound cynical, well, that’s because I am. As a designer, being “the voice” for the user can feel like a never ending battle for screen real estate. A white space war of attrition. “White space is wasted space,” a senior marketer would suggest to my dismay, ad nauseam.
So you’ll forgive me if I appear to be gushing at this now 24 year old page. It’s just so…divergent from so much that exists today. Here’s why:
🚀 Fast loading
📖 Great readability
