Understanding web3
Understanding web3 begins with understanding or at least learning a bit about what brought us to this point in the history of the world wide web as we know it now. At the moment, the world is still predominantly based on web2. Most people interact on platforms like whatsapp, facebook, IG etc…
I’ll briefly run through the THREE stages of the Web so far.
First, we have the Web 1: The Read-Only Web
Imagine the early internet as a giant library. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Web 1 was mostly about reading information. Websites were like static pages where you could find stuff, but you couldn’t really interact much. You’d visit a site, read an article, maybe look at some pictures, but that was about it. You were a consumer of content, not a creator.
Web 2: The Read-Write Web
Web 2 started in the early 2000s and it radically transformed the internet into a more interactive space and like I said earlier, it’s the most used web today.. Think social media, blogs (like this one- Medium), and platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Netflix etcetera. Now, users could not only read but also create and share their own content. You could post pictures, write comments, and engage with others. This made the web much more social and dynamic.
However, the downside is that;
Web2 is highly centralized.
WHAT IS CENTRALIZATION? Centralization refers to a system where power, control, and decision-making are concentrated in a single authority or a small group. It’s like having a central hub where everything is managed from one place.
This means that the things that go on on the web are controlled by a few people. These people get to decide what you and I can or cannot do on the web and we- the users, can’t really do anything about it.
As a result of this centralized, companies like Facebook, Google, Amazon etc, control a vast amount of data and dictate how users interact with their services.
In summary, having control concentrated in one place can sometimes be efficient, but it also comes with risks like limited participation and potentially poor decision making (like the rubbish whatsapp does with their updates lol)
And Finally, Web 3: The Read-Write-Own Web
Web3 is all about decentralization. This simply means to spread out control and power instead of having it concentrated in one place.
In Web 3, you have more control over your data and online identity.Web3 utilizes Tech like the Blockchain technology ( The one behind cryptocurrencies), to create a more open and accessible internet. Also, instead of just using services provided by big companies, you can own your content and even earn from it. For example, if you create a digital art piece, you could sell it as a non-fungible token (NFT), allowing you to retain ownership and get paid directly without a middleman.
To wrap up, Web 1 was about just being able to reading information, Web 2 bright about the opportunity and ability to engage and share content on the web but is limited to what the autonomous authority allows, and now Web 3 is seeks to allow ownership and control for everyone. Think of it as moving from being just a visitor in the library (Web 1) to being an active participant in a community (Web 2), and now to being a co-owner of that library (Web 3). Each step builds on the previous one, making the internet more interactive, connected, and empowering for everyone!
