“Eternal September” describes the ongoing influx of new, inexperienced users disrupting online communities, a trend starting in 1993 with AOL’s access to Usenet. This constant influx challenges the maintenance of original community norms and highlights the effects of widespread internet accessibility.
Definition
- “Eternal September” refers to the perpetual influx of new, inexperienced users overwhelming an online community, fundamentally altering its culture and norms.
Origins and History
- Etymology: The term originated from Usenet, an early internet discussion system, and references the month of September when a new wave of college students would gain internet access.
- Historical Context
- Before widespread internet access, Usenet experienced a noticeable influx of new users every September, coinciding with the start of the academic year.
- The term “Eternal September” specifically arose in 1993 when AOL began providing Usenet access to its subscribers, resulting in a continuous, year-round influx of new users.
Fundamental Concepts
- Cultural Impact on Online Communities
- Norm Disruption: A significant and continuous influx of new users can dilute established norms and etiquette within an online community.
- Community Dynamics: Existing members may struggle to maintain the original culture, leading to potential fragmentation or the evolution of the community.
- Usenet and Early Internet Culture
- Usenet Structure: A decentralized system of newsgroups where users could post and read messages. It functioned as a precursor to modern forums and social media platforms.
- Early Internet Users: Predominantly academics and technically proficient individuals who established a culture of netiquette and technical discussion.
- Inexperienced Users
- Learning Curve: New users typically lack familiarity with the community’s norms, leading to repeated mistakes and potential conflicts.
- Cultural Assimilation: Over time, some new users adapt and integrate, while others might perpetuate disruptive behaviors.
- Technological and Social Evolution
- Internet Accessibility: The expansion of internet access to a broader demographic, beyond just academics and professionals.
- Social Media Platforms: Modern equivalents of Usenet, such as Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter, face similar challenges with continuous new user influx.
Consequences
- Quality of Content: The signal-to-noise ratio often decreases, with more off-topic or low-quality contributions overshadowing valuable discussions.
- Community Resilience: Some communities implement stricter moderation and onboarding processes to preserve quality and norms.
- Cultural Shifts: Online communities may evolve to accommodate new user behaviors, creating a hybrid culture or entirely new dynamics.
Examples
- AOL’s Impact on Usenet (1993): The influx of AOL users overwhelmed the existing community, leading to the coining of “Eternal September.”
- Reddit’s Growth: As Reddit’s user base expanded, individual subreddits often experienced shifts in culture and content quality, necessitating stricter moderation and community guidelines.
Key Takeaways
- Eternal September illustrates the challenges online communities face in balancing growth and cultural preservation.
- The phenomenon underscores the importance of onboarding processes and moderation to maintain community standards.
- Understanding Eternal September provides insights into the dynamics of online community evolution and the impact of technological democratization on digital culture.
