I remember everyone saying that back in the late 90's when commercial web was approaching.<p>But there's never been a time (except the obvious Pre-Internet era) where non-commercial Internet hasn't thrived in all its defiance and splendor. The fact that things become commercialized when they become too big to survive on good will is hardly a surprise. And technology has advanced incredibly because of it.<p>Gopher is still around if you really want to relive the good old days. There is a whole open ecosystem online if one wants to find it. Ironically it's always right there amid all the commercial stuff, but it's there.
its a bit "news at 11" because it's always been dying, in as much as it's always been changing.<p>the great renaming in USENET had a ripple of "Usenet is dead to me"<p>honey danber and the loss of a!b!c paths for user@host had warfare.<p>gopher and wais being replaced by web had .. oh noooo qualities.