I like Base64, I like small files, put the two together and we have it: An image 252 bytes in size.
data:image/webp;base64,UklGRvQAAABXRUJQVlA4IOgAAACwCgCdASpAAGAAP/3+/3+/uju/sBgLU/A/iUAZ1rvw04W3w+d6stQR4iI3NWWCLnioeSndIuoF2pSIvjpjUz5F+pTHLCjI7OK0y9liqJzYOccbpimsJuHRFkEr2uCAANm/d05cmd2N1SpgEblGw5c6ewbqOcK9WyFfgDKp7NlPj4mKneExFUH1jBwVpIkrcnnXB3b/pqtXbrwJFhnj4XUnGCmtWhnIk6jsvjlK906MSQxBavsa0b6KsuUcJKlCkLQd2N2CLld95cVlg/f/bT4eYqeT6uefAojjFZ7hNzUvR6l6YatM6/AA
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Let's talk about:
“[…] I’ve found that the personal web, for all its creativity, often feels surprisingly homogenous. There are certain aesthetics, narratives, and tastes that tend to dominate, while other perspectives feel underrepresented. It’s rare that I see myself reflected in the sites I come across, and that has made it clear how important it is that I contribute authentically.”
— 2025, sadgrl.online [https://archive.is/3G717#selection-115.279-115.643]
“often feels surprisingly homogenous”
I agree, for example, on Neocities, certain site layouts look very similar, or even the same. But are they popular and does this generate a cyclical herd effect, or do people appreciate them more than other layouts? Perhaps these similar layouts, themes, colors and craziness are an attempt to look different, and end up “different like the others”, and in the end everyone ends up looking a bit alike. Nheee, I don't know.
“certain aesthetics, narratives, and tastes that tend to dominate, while other perspectives feel underrepresented”
I think this has always happened, both on the internet and in human history. Technically, there will always be something more popular than something else. But little by little certain subcultures are becoming cultures, or at least better known than before.
“It’s rare that I see myself reflected in the sites I come across”
Also, LOL.