Been around the internet for a very very long time :)
And sure, people absolutely cared. That’s why AIM profiles were a thing, and why people were so excited when they could build web pages easily with Frontpage or Dreamweaver or with Angelfire or Geocities, etc.
What’s changed is arguably that it is less acceptable to be anonymous now, but the concept of wanting to share and be seen is not new.
it feels very different. back then my 'profiles' were avatars, virtual personas, and people were careful to never dox themselves. Now the proportions are reversed
And sure, people absolutely cared. That’s why AIM profiles were a thing, and why people were so excited when they could build web pages easily with Frontpage or Dreamweaver or with Angelfire or Geocities, etc.
What’s changed is arguably that it is less acceptable to be anonymous now, but the concept of wanting to share and be seen is not new.