The internet has changed so much in the past twenty years that it’s hard to imagine a time without it. Even harder is remembering what the internet used to be like, in its many incarnations. When we first brought up the topic of internet memories, a bunch of  producers started to talk all over each other, excitedly. When everyone calmed down, we found each person seemed to be talking about very different internets. The internet that Ian remembered, a private club where coding was necessary and ‘netiquette’ was expected was very different from Pip’s take on Tumblr culture and Heidi’s memory of MySpace songs.

In this episode, we bring you stories from the internet, past and present.

None from the future. That’s a bit too terrifying.

Eternal September

Today the internet is available to almost anyone – on your phone, on your watch, even in your fridge. But all All the Best contributor Ian Woolf remembers when the internet was just for the initiated – those who knew the rules. That was, until the day the internet died.

Produced by Ian Woolf

Music Credit: Podington Bear

Black Book

Well before Tinder, Grinder, Blender or any of those matchmaking websites took off, Tiger Webb and his girlfriend at the time were pioneers in online dating. Too awkward to talk in person, they interacted online – their high school romance played out over email. Tiger kept all of those emails, printed them all out and collated them for her for their first birthday together. What happens when your internet history is a tangible object? Does it make any difference?

Produced by Tiger Webb

Music Credits: ‘Computer Camp Love’ by Datarock, ‘Knocked Up’ by Kings of Leon

Letters to my Former Internet Self

We asked some of our favourite writers to think of their Former Internet Selves, throw their pride out the window, and offer that person some advice. Thanks to Sally Whyte, Michelle See-Tho, A.H.Cayley, Sam Ryan, Josie Wright and Tom Joyner for obliging. We became a bit obsessed with your internet memories, so you can hear all the letters in full at our blog.

Produced by Jess O’Callaghan and Heidi Pett

Music Credits: ‘Steppin Intro’ by Poddington Bear

Imposter Syndrome

On the internet, everyone always seems to be somewhere cooler than you are. Parties look more fun than the one you’re at, clothes are crisper, countryside more pristine. Imagine if, somehow, you managed to slip into the life of someone who seems on Facebook to have all the fun. This story is fiction, by Zacha Rosen.

Produced by Zacha Rosen

Music Credits: ‘Choy Lin’ by Fishing, ‘Get By’ by Talib Kweli, ‘Corporate World’ by The Dust Brothers, ‘Oraculum’ by Trent Reznor, ‘Shake Break Bounce’ by The Chemical Brothers, ‘White Sheet Beach’ by Fishing.

Presenters: Michael Brydon and Michaela Morgan

Community Coordinator: Pip Rasmussen

Executive Producers: Giordana Caputo & Belinda Lopez

Features Executive Producers: Heidi Pett & Jess O’Callaghan

Image Credit: Eris Stassi

Music Credit: ‘Paddling Ghost’ by Dan Deacon