Why Gopher in 2026?

A personal defense of using Gopher in 2026, this entry treats building a simple phlog as a way to understand technology rather than merely consume it. Its appeal lies partly in nostalgia and partly in the chance to step away from the noise of modern digital life. The writer notices that his 17-year-old child and friends with ADHD are drawn to simpler tools such as flip phones, even though these devices were once cutting-edge. He welcomes their desire for less distraction but argues that returning to an earlier era is impossible: people must make sense of the technology they have now.

The entry describes technology as both more capable and less satisfying than before. Modern tools offer conveniences such as Vim syntax highlighting and online guidance for configuring features, while older users often had to depend on finding someone knowledgeable enough to explain obscure manuals. At the same time, subscriptions, shifting services, and profit-driven decisions make the digital world feel unstable and burdensome. The SDF community offers a welcome contrast, preserving an older, more user-centered style of online life. A brief comment echoes the tension: people cannot truly go back, yet need some form of return, and slowing down may be the answer.