MetaFilter: membership and stewardship as tests of community

Dead Internet Theory: MetaFilter has survived since 1999 through membership friction, paid moderation, repeated financial stress, and eventually community governance. Its longevity shows that an old online community survives through stewardship and budgeting, not merely by keeping the server switched on.

https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/dit-metafilter-membership-and-stewardship-as-tests-of-community-longevity/

By Switchboard Tech Services · Originally published 2026-09-19

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