news Open Letter from Tim Berners-Lee on 35th Anniversary of WWW

[Bob Hawkes]

This open letter by the creator of the world wide web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee is an interesting read. One of the most interesting is the idea that each person on the globe should have with their own ‘personal online data store’, known as a POD.

https://medium.com/@timberners_lee/marking-the-webs-35th-birthday-an-open-letter-ebb410cc7d42

The open letter closes with this:

...overturn the online world being dictated by profit to one that is dictated by the needs of humanity. It is only then that the online ecosystem we all live in will reach its full potential and provide the foundations for creativity, collaboration and compassion.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Thanks for the info/article Bob.

From his writing: "overturn the online world being dictated by profit to one that is dictated by the needs of humanity."

Truly a lofty goal but, sadly, treasure is what makes the world go round. I'm not going down the socialist or communist failures path as it is filled with potholes and bumps...however...the dream of a WorldWideWeb that is all about serving the needs of all men/women equally won't/can't happen.

I do believe with all my being that one day we will all live in peace and harmony, but not at the hand of any person(s). (ADD: or technology)

 

[Mr. Deleted]

Thanks for the info/article Bob.

From his writing: "overturn the online world being dictated by profit to one that is dictated by the needs of humanity."

Truly a lofty goal but, sadly, treasure is what makes the world go round. I'm not going down the socialist or communist failures path as it is filled with potholes and bumps...however...the dream of a WorldWideWeb that is all about serving the needs of all men/women equally won't/can't happen.

I do believe with all my being that one day we will all live in peace and harmony, but not at the hand of any person(s). (ADD: or technology)

Exactly, that’s a pipe dream. What would we all pay for this POD, and what exactly would we do with it? How would you promote it to other PODs? It’s all well and good to have your website online but if no one visits it it becomes a chore and people forget they even have it.

 

[Dane]

I talked with Tim Berners-Lee (and shook his hand ) at a conference many years ago, where he was the keynote speaker. Super humble down-to-earth guy.