The Deepest Internet Rabbit Holes I Digged Myself Into: A Journey Through Plato to the Depths of Darkness

Introduction

Remember the times when you clicked on Wikipedia and ended up on a page that's so fascinating or horrifying that you couldn't tear yourself away? For many of us, the internet can be like a deep rabbit hole, drawing us in with its myriad of intriguing links and endless pathways. I've had my share of such experiences, starting from a simple assignment about trees in school to a game of upshowmanship that led to some of the darkest corners of the internet. Here's my story of the deepest rabbit holes I've fallen into.

The Wiki Adventure

One of my earliest rabbit holes started with a philosophy assignment in high school. While studying trees, I stumbled upon Wikipedia and got sidetracked into a long web of links, each more interesting or disturbing than the last. One link led to another, and before I knew it, I was scrolling through pages about the Tuskegee Study—truly a horrific tale of unethical experiments—and then onto the fascinating Iron Sky movie, a darkly humorous take on WWII aliens. Wikipedia can be a wonderful resource, but sometimes interest can take over and lead us to unexpected places.

The Memory Hole 2

Another rabbit hole that began in high school was a bit more memorable. It involved a Civics class where our teacher discussed Plato, the Stoics, and encouraged us to keep reading. My interest in ancient ascetics and enlightenment led me down a long and winding path. I began by studying trees, then Philosophy, and eventually found myself delving into the darkest corners of the internet in a game of upshowmanship with a friend. The goal was to keep each other on our toes by showing the most disgusting content found on the internet that week. It was a sinister game that lasted well into college.

The Edge of the Internet

Perhaps the most formative rabbit hole was when I reached the end of the internet, or so I thought. My friend told me that he had found "the end of the internet," a site filled with the lowest and basest videos of mankind. While most of the content was familiar, I was determined to make it through the top 100, betting against myself and my friend. However, around 50 videos into it, I began to feel overwhelmed and disgusting. Watching these videos was a traumatic experience, not only because of the depravity of the content but also because it felt like I was witnessing the depths of humanity's darkest side. It was as if I was witnessing Hell itself or something equally as repulsive.

From the 30s to the 20s, the videos became increasingly disturbing, and around the 40s, I found it difficult to continue. In the 20s, I finally gave up, feeling too disgusted to continue. My friend laughed, reminding me that he had stopped around the same time. We scrolled up to find that the top 10 videos were even worse, with the worst one too repulsive to watch for more than a few seconds. After seeing the edge of the internet, I never returned. Now, I confine myself to light videos, mostly cute or funny ones, and occasionally watch horror television or MMA videos. Even after that, the worst thing I encountered was the simulated violence in The Walking Dead and the Falun Gong persecution pictures.

Conclusion

These rabbit holes taught me that the internet is a vast, complex, and sometimes disturbing place. While it's easy to get absorbed in fascinating and horrific content, it's crucial to remember to take breaks and remain mindful of what we expose ourselves to. In a world where the line between normal and not normal can blur, finding a balance is key. My experiences have shaped my perspective and made me more appreciative of the more hospitable and informative parts of the internet.

Keywords: Internet rabbit hole, Stoicism, Wikipedia