This is something I’ve been thinking about lately, and I wonder if anyone else has noticed it.
It feels like Americans act as the “popular kids” of the internet. We’re loud, confident, quick to share opinions, and often treat online spaces like they belong to us by default. Platforms like Reddit, YouTube, GitHub, and even online games often feel shaped by our tone, humor, and pace.
And I don’t think we even realize we’re doing it.
The internet runs mostly in American English, so without meaning to, we end up dominating the rhythm of the conversation. People from other countries, especially non-native English speakers, often end up just watching. Reading. Adapting. Trying to fit in. But not always speaking up.
I’ve seen it in Eve Online too.
Americans (and other native-English speakers) tend to run the comms, shape the alliances, set the mood. Everyone else often takes on a quieter role, even if they’re just as smart or experienced. It creates this weird imbalance where one group feels like the center of gravity, and the rest sort of orbits around it.
And to be honest—I see it in myself. Just earlier some discord mod questioned me about if my post was on topic, and I let him have it calling him a fascist and being outraged that he dare question me. After I told him he's a loser discord mod and that he is below me, I left the discord. It actually made me think about this topic.
When someone speaks with a Mexican or Eastern European or Indian accent, I notice myself tuning out more easily. It feels like I have to put in more effort to understand, and my brain uses that as an excuse to care a little less. But if the speaker has a polished American, British, or Aussie accent? I listen more. I take them more seriously.
It’s strange how cultural dominance works online. I wonder how that feels from the other side. For those of you outside the U.S., or who speak English as a second language: do you feel this too? Do you notice this dynamic?
Curious to hear your perspective.
i told chatgpt to write this
