IRC would be no different today if Eternal September had its claws on it.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/EternalSe...
Basically, any and all communities wide open for everyone reaching the mainstream are eventually going down hill, unless there's a paywall and or heavy moderation keeping the "unwashed swine" at bay and culture intact.
Your feelings about IRC are sadly misplaced, but you can easily recreate the glorious days by running your own small community.
