2006: user generated content is a revolution! We are now exchanging information and ideas directly with each other without needing information gatekeepers like traditional media or paid advertisers or anything like that! The future is gonna be a utopia where the powerful will be challenged at every turn!
2026: a significant percentage of "user generated content" is generated either by AI or people who are being paid to do so for commercial or political reasons... I suppose those are "users" too...
why, humanity, why???? ;____;