# How Bots Ruined Sneaker Culture: A Sneakerhead's Lament There was a time when being a sneakerhead meant something different. It meant camping outside Foot Locker at 4 AM with strangers who became friends. It meant knowing your local store manager by name. It meant the thrill of walking out with a box under your arm, knowing you earned it. Those days are gone. ## The Golden Era We Lost Back in the early 2010s, copping sneakers was about dedication. You showed up early, you made connections, you