The "Flat Internet"
Ideal vs. Its Real-World Contradictions

Theoretical Flattening

In its early years, the internet was seen as a tool to break information monopolies, granting individuals equal access to communication and content creation. The rise of Web 2.0—marked by blogs and social media—seemed to confirm this promise, allowing "everyone to publish" and fostering a decentralized, interconnected information landscape. This was believed to erode traditional hierarchical structures, distributing communication power more evenly.

The Reality of "Re-Centralization"
and the New Digital Divide

While technological advancements lowered entry barriers to content creation, major platforms have reclaimed centralized control through algorithmic curation and traffic regulation. For instance, Facebook prioritizes commercial content and brand advertising over organic posts, making it harder for individual voices to gain visibility. Research suggests that algorithms have shifted content distribution power from traditional media to engineers, transforming user preferences into "commercialized channels" where ordinary voices are marginalized.

Manifestations and Mechanisms of the New Digital Divide

From "Access Divide" to "Smart Divide"

The digital divide has evolved from mere access disparities (e.g., internet penetration) to gaps in information usage and technological adaptability. Key areas include:

• The Knowledge Gap: Algorithmic filtering amplifies echo chambers, leading to differences in information quality and deepening disparities in knowledge production.

• The Survival Gap: Digital skills increasingly determine economic stability. Workers in gig economies often find themselves at the mercy of platform algorithms, affecting employment and rights.

• The Expression & Participation Gap: Algorithms favor high-engagement content, making it difficult for individuals to meaningfully participate in public discourse, further diluting personal influence.

The "Domestication Divide"
in Algorithmic Logic

Scholar Weilu introduced the concept of the "Domestication Divide," highlighting the gap between tech elites who manipulate algorithms and everyday users who passively consume platform-driven content. While the former can navigate or counteract digital manipulation, the latter often remain "domesticated" within algorithmically controlled spaces.

Policy and Individual Responses

Researchers like Weilu advocate for a "global digital community" to promote online equity. On an individual level, users are experimenting with "social media detox" to reduce algorithmic dependence. A Stanford study on quitting Facebook found that temporary disengagement improved well-being and social interaction quality.