The "Dead Internet Theory" is a loose term used to describe a range of changes and oddities in the structure and content of the internet, which have become increasingly prevalent in the last decade.
This includes:
>A massive increase in bots, including the idea that their presence and activity may now be far greater than that of actual people, or at least to a much greater extent than people have been led to believe.
>The homogenization and centralization of online content.
>The death of a once-rich landscape of smaller communities dedicated to a vast array of subjects, hobbies, niches - all now replaced primarily by disorganized, impermanent, and easily controlled discussion on platforms such as Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
>The idea that AI, considerably more advanced at present than we have been led to believe, is being utilized online for subversive or malevolent purposes, including the creation of increasingly bland and mindless media of the modern world.
It's worth noting for those of you who are unaware, the aforementioned bots have a strong presence on 4chan. The best thing you can do is not engage with any derailment or demoralization. Ignore them and most of their "power" over the discourse is negated. If you notice someone doing these things, call attention to it for everyone (especially lurkers) to see, but don't engage them - unless you're willing to try teaching them with respect. Perhaps they can still learn.
Educate yourself, and stay aware. Whoever they may be, and whatever their ultimate goals, there are parties seeking to influence and control what you think and the way you interact with others. They are present all across the internet, and 4chan - and /b/, /pol/, and many other boards - are among the places they are at work.
It is most important in these threads to ignore all shills, if you can identify them. Do not respond to them, do not even talk about them, just ignore them completely, if you don't have a constructive answer.