The internet has transitioned from a collaborative, human-driven space to an algorithmic environment designed to maximize attention and control. Mark Little, entrepreneur and author of *The Last Good Day on the Internet*, identifies 2015 as the turning point when supercharged algorithms replaced serendipitous human connection with polarizing, addictive content. This shift toward an "age of attention" has eroded trust in institutions and fragmented reality. To reclaim agency, society must move toward an "age of intention," where individuals and communities actively shape technology to serve human needs rather than corporate profit. By leveraging open-source AI and prioritizing local, civic-minded digital spaces, users can move beyond passive consumption. Ultimately, the future of technology depends on a combination of personal digital well-being, collective grassroots action, and smart regulation that fosters human-centric innovation rather than algorithmic exploitation.
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