I can relate to the original meaning of this old term that means to be good citizen of the internet. Wikipedia says a “netizen” is someone who actively contributes to the development of the internet, not for personal gain or profit, but to make the internet a better place.
The only way I’ll look fondly upon this era is if the Web somehow gets worse so that everyone is doxed and needs a license to build a Web site.
The small bright spot of the fediverse is maybe the only good thing going on right now.