Content Ownership in a Web 3.0 World
Credit: Hackermoon.com
First, we found information more accessible: Web 1.0
Next, our experiences were enhanced: Web 2.0
Now, we arebuilding towards ownership and transparency: Web 3.0
Evolution of the Past Web
Like many aspects of the world that evolve, there is rarely a definitive moment or exact event that defines the jump from one sequence to the next. It isn’t very likely that all parties will agree on what spaces and sites define each web iteration. However, some general traits and constructs distinguish past and current web phases, and this is what we will examine. Most importantly, we will discuss adapting to the recent web evolution to maximize our stake and independence going forward.
Web 1.0
From the earliest days of the internet to about the turn of the century, the first iteration of our current web as we know it was read-only or syntactic. Some participants published content, and other participants read it. These interactions and webpages were static in that they all presented information to visitors in the style of a brochure. Contributions from seekers of information were prohibited, as the delivery and consumption of information was a one-way street. For context, take a trip back to remind yourself of earlier features from the world wide web. early examples of Web 1.0 sites include Craigslist, IMdb, and geocities pages.
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 was all about producing content and interacting with other participants. Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are some of the most prominent examples of content creators blended with social connections. This evolution evolved a certain amount of participants making content in the Web 1.0 world to far more participants publishing massive amounts of content. Participants began to leave reviews, create identities within given ecosystems, and contribute to social revolutions. On the backend, this inspired faster internet speeds, global adoption, and new web technologies (HTML 5, Javascript, Adobe Flash), all of which enabled more interactive experiences. User contributions collectively fueled the growth of many websites and web-based engagements in Web 2.0.
Entering Web 3.0
Our latest iteration of the world wide web is considered semantic, as AI is improving its understanding of user intent, and thus able to shape user content. Graphic and technology advancements enhance user experiences across many web platforms, also increasing engagement. Blockchains and cryptocurrencies back the infrastructure of Web 3.0, as transactions, transfers, payments, and trading are becoming increasingly transparent and immutable. Finally, the uninterrupted connectivity of new technology supercharges this web phase for exponential growth.
Advantages of Web 3.0 include:
Ownership of information and content
Access to information
Elimination of central points of control
Uninterrupted, permissionless blockchains that can service any industry
Are You Ready for Web 3.0?
Our world is embracing ubiquitous digitization and interconnection. Our devices are becoming extensions of our identities, as more and more of our lives occur online. Self-ownership in many facets of our lives is increasing through the adoption of digital assets. This technological revolution reminds us of the much-touted “Netscape moment.” Web 3.0 aims to make interoperability its core, and it appears we’re on our way there. Coinbase announced its Layer 2 solution, “Base,” built on a genuinely neutral, decentralized chain called Optimism.
Of course, there is the alternate possibility that Web 3.0 could be ushering in a Technological Singularity (a hypothetical future point in time when technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization). Most likely this is not the case, because many experts in AI robotics argue that a technological singularity is unlikely to occur soon and that we have time to develop safeguards and ethical frameworks to guide the development of our advanced technologies. However, we can remain cautiously optimistic that Web 3.0 will improve economic equity for more individuals.
