The Toxic Hive of 9GAG: Can It Be Fixed or Should It Die?

The online community 9GAG, once a vibrant source of memes and humor, has transformed into a toxic environment filled with trolls and malicious content. Many users wonder whether it is possible to fix this situation or if it might be better to let it 'die' and move on to safer alternatives.

Is Fixing 9GAG Possible?

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the old adage goes. However, when it comes to online communities like 9GAG, the situation is more complex. If users find the current environment to be as they desire, why should it be altered? Many argue that attempting to 'fix' 9GAG would go against the wishes of its community.

A user commented, 'Totally agree with you. My only hope is that it will die…' This sentiment is echoed by those who find the current state of the site abhorrent. They find examples like those in the politics section, which are filled with Russian trolls, to be particularly disturbing.

Is 9GAG's Toxicity a Natural Evolution?

There are those who argue that 9GAG's toxicity is not a recent development but rather a natural progression. The site has evolved over the years, and its current state is a result of these transformations. However, this natural progression may not always be positive. Several points should be considered:

The removal of non-sexual content (NSFW) resulted in a significant backlash. People adapted easily to workarounds, indicating the toxicity was not just in the absence of certain content. The site still allows the display of adult content, affecting both children and adults negatively. User engagement and warnings of toxicity suggests that the site may continue to deteriorate further.

One user stated, 'Not that people just easily found a work around to keep it there. You can still view 18 content so easily... and it not only affects children but adults too…' This example highlights the persistent and widespread nature of the issue.

Can 9GAG Be Saved?

Many believe that to 'fix' 9GAG would mean a massive overhaul by the site's administrators. However, this would likely result in a rebellion by the user base, pushing people to other communities. 9GAG would transform but probably not revert to its pre-toxic state. That transformation was a natural part of the internet's evolution, which itself has seen a decline in positive online communities.

Another user expressed this sentiment, saying, 'I think the same is true for almost any other community to varying degrees it’s all cancer and there is absolutely no salvation or cure... It’s only going to get worse.' This viewpoint is supported by neuroscience and game theory, which suggest that online communities naturally become more toxic over time due to the ease of interaction and the ease of responding negatively.

Is 9GAG Worth Fixing or Should It Be Abandoned?

Many users want to know 'Fix what.' The environment is the way it is because the users want it that way. This harsh reality means that fixing 9GAG may not be feasible without causing significant disruption to the user base. It might be more constructive to consider alternative communities that offer a healthier and less toxic environment.

To conclude, whether 9GAG can be fixed is debatable. The user base's preference for the current state means that any significant 'fix' might result in the loss of what makes the site unique. If this loss is seen as more detrimental than the toxicity, the best course might be to embrace other communities that can better meet your needs. After all, as one user noted, 'There’s lots of other communities big or small that could potentially fill for you the void left by 9GAG.'