alt Hacker NewsYet social media started as individualized “web pages” and journals on myspace. It was a natural outgrowth of the internet at the time, a way for your average person to put a little content on the interwebules.
What became toxic was, arguably, the way in which it was monetized and never really regulated.
I don't disagree with your point and the thing you're saying doesn't contradict the point I was making. The reason why it became toxic is not relevant. The fact that wasn't predicted 20 years ago is what matters in this context.