Wasn't it just so fun? I remember the vibe being different, and I think "fresh and exciting" captures it well.
The emphasis on discovery by things curated by people gave the web an unmistakable DIY feel. Like, it was janky at times, yeah, but that was all right because the tech was still evolving, we were still learning, and JFC we're communicating with people from all over the planet!! How cool is that??
I know, right? That is some frickin Lord Farquaad shit. What a dickhead!