I am quite sure that @ existed before the internet... it's on my mum's antique typewriter, I'm sure of it!
Oh yeah, now that you mention it, I recall reading something about its pre-Internet use, but I'm afraid the Internet has just poisoned it for me!
You used to be able to scroll down a long list and see everyone's name and see the topic title and be able to pick and choose what to read quite easily. NOw you can see about only about 10 and the first one is open in full, which is OK if it's interesting, and not OK if someone is having some existential crisis...
Gah, it's telling me to go to bed, see ya folks!
Ahh, right. Yeah, I can see how the old system would've been better.
Have a good night!