This 2003 New York Times article details the emergence of "Hiptop Nation" (hiptop.bedope.com), an early example of mobile blogging and social networking centered around the T-Mobile Sidekick (also known as the Hiptop). The site, founded by Mike Popovic, allowed Sidekick users to share real-time experiences – often with accompanying photos – creating a uniquely immediate and visual online community. Unlike traditional blogs focused on reflection, Hiptop Nation emphasized present experiences, like commutes or current events (a turkey deal before Thanksgiving!). The article highlights the site’s surprising civility, attributed to users sharing photos alongside their posts, and details a successful Halloween scavenger hunt organized via the Sidekick's capabilities. Ultimately, the article frames Hiptop Nation as a demonstration of how empowering technology can lead to unexpected and "amazing stuff," foreshadowing the broader social media landscape to come – and offering a nostalgic glimpse into the early days of mobile connectedness. It also briefly touches on the challenges of content moderation, referencing a quickly-addressed instance of inappropriate content.
