History of the Internet

I quite enjoyed this history of the internet. I had never heard it from the point of view of wanting a decentralized communication network before. Rather, I've always viewed the development of computers as a computational necessity. This viewpoint makes the ongoing shift to a more centralized network on the web even more alarming. I do feel that it's a bit hard to fully dislike the idea of a centralized web as the simplicity does allow for less experienced and people of all backgrounds to participate in an online experience. However, there is a loss of unique expression which is sad to think about given the backlog of wildly personal and abstract sites that originated the web.

Democratize the Internet

The indie movement to re-establish a decentralized web is intriguing. It's hard to imagine a world in which social networking giants do not exist, especially for people raised in our generation. So much of our identities are tied to online profiles on these central networks.

This article inspired me to think about what such a world would like for me. Friends could host their own personal websites and share links with others the way someone shares a phone number or email address. These websites could be unique and span multiple different media types, making for a more personal experience. However, there is still a certain allure to the convenience of a centralized web where it is so easy to meet and interact with new people or acquaintances. It expands our potential social networks but limits our social expression, and I feel it's incredibly difficult to try and find a middle ground between these polarities.