The Death of Neutral Search: How the Internet's Archival Function Is Failing

The Walrus has published an article titled 'Our Ability To Search The Internet Is Dying', which argues that search engines can no longer act as neutral gateways to a stable body of knowledge. The piece contends that the internet's archival function is breaking down due to pressure from stakeholders with conflicting priorities. While the web has always been shaped by intermediaries that determine what survives online and who sees it, the current breakdown is more severe. The article suggests that the reliability and comprehensiveness of online search are being compromised, raising concerns about access to information and the preservation of digital history. The piece is part of a broader discourse on the fragility of digital archives and the influence of commercial and other interests on information retrieval.