The Internet is one of the most important and influential technologies in human history. It allows us to connect, communicate, inform, learn, entertain, and create on a global scale. However, the Internet is constantly changing and evolving, and it wasn’t always what it is today. In fact, we can distinguish three main phases or generations of the Internet: web1, web2 and web3.
Web1 was the first form of Internet that emerged at the end of the 20th century. It was mostly static and one-way, meaning users could only view content created by webmasters or administrators. Web1 was like a huge digital library, where users could only read, but not write or share.
Web2 was another form of Internet that emerged at the beginning of the 21st century. It was dynamic and bidirectional, meaning that users could not only browse, but also create, modify, and share content with other users. Web2 was like a huge digital platform, where users could interact, collaborate, and socialize.
Web3 is the third and newest form of the Internet that is emerging and developing. It is intelligent and multi-directional, which means that users are able to not only browse, create, modify, and share content, but also program, automate, and optimize the Internet. Web3 is like a huge digital network, where users are able to control and innovate the Internet.
The transition to web3 is important for the future of the Internet, as it offers many advantages and solves many of the challenges that exist in web2. Some of those advantages and challenges are:
Decentralization
Web2 although we still enjoy it but compared to Web3 it is like an ordinary cell phone which has limited functions, while web3 is like an Android cell phone which has much more features and adaptability. On web2, most of the data and services are located on central servers belonging to several large companies. On web3, data and services are not located on central servers, but on distributed nodes belonging to different users and entities, which collaborate and share resources on the Internet. These nodes use technologies such as blockchain, peer-to-peer, and cryptography, which allow the Internet to be more democratic, resilient, and secure, and less dependent on central authorities, intermediaries, and regulators. On web3, users have greater control and ownership of their data and services, as they can choose how to use, store, and share it, without the need for trust or permission from others. They also earn money based on their data and activities, which they often use for their own needs and goals, with sufficient respect and protection of the privacy and rights of other users.
Security
Web2 is like a centralized network that depends on a few large companies that control data and services, while web3 is like a decentralized network that relies on distributed nodes that collaborate and share resources. On web2, data and transactions on the Internet are often unprotected and vulnerable, as they pass through various intermediaries and providers, which can be hacked, censored, or manipulated. At web3, data and transactions on the Internet are mostly protected and safe, because they use advanced protection mechanisms and protocols, such as encryption, signing, and verification, which guarantee that the Internet is more confidential, transparent, and reliable, and less vulnerable hackers, censorship, and manipulation.
Interoperability
Web2 is like an incompatible, separated, and isolated system, while web3 is like a compatible, connected, and integrated system. On web2, data and services on the Internet are often different and inconsistent, because they use different formats, protocols, and platforms, which complicate and slow down the exchange and use of data and services on the Internet. On web3, data and services on the Internet are mostly similar and harmonized, because they use universal and standardized formats, protocols, and platforms, which facilitate and accelerate the exchange and use of data and services on the Internet
Transparency
Web3 enables the Internet to be more open, public, and visible, and less closed, secret, and hidden. This means that users can have better insight and control over their data and activities on the Internet, as well as over the data and activities of other users and entities on the Internet.
Innovation
Web3 allows the Internet to be more creative, experimental, and progressive, and less conventional, limited, and outdated. This means that users can create and use new and better ways to solve problems and meet needs on the Internet, with the help of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and smart contracts.
Some examples of web3 applications that already exist or are under development are:
– Ethereum: Ethereum is a decentralized platform that allows smart contracts and decentralized applications to run on the Internet, without the need for intermediaries, censors, or third parties. Ethereum uses its own cryptocurrency called ether, which is used to pay for transactions and services on the platform.
– IPFS: IPFS is a distributed system for storing and sharing data on the Internet, which uses a peer-to-peer network and cryptographic hashes, instead of traditional locations and addresses. IPFS allows data to be permanently, securely, and efficiently stored and accessible on the Internet, without dependence on central servers or providers.
– Brave: Brave is a web browser that offers users a better experience and protection on the Internet, by blocking unwanted ads and tracking, and rewarding users for their attention and input. Brave uses its own cryptocurrency called Basic Attention Token, which is used to pay and receive rewards for watching or creating content online.
Conclusion
In this post, we saw how web3 builds on the foundations of web2, but builds upon and improves upon them. We have also seen how web3 enables greater decentralization, security, transparency, interoperability, and innovation on the Internet. To better understand this process, we used some analogies and comparisons with switching from a regular mobile phone to an Android mobile phone.
The transition to web3 is important for the future of the Internet, as it offers many advantages and solves many of the challenges that exist in web2. However, the transition to web3 is neither simple nor quick, because it requires a change in the way of thinking, behaving, and acting on the Internet. That’s why we need to be informed, educated, and involved in web3, in order to use its potential and contribute to its development.
Web3 is not a competition to Web 2, but a natural continuation. We enjoyed web1, web 2 and naturally Web3 is coming and I believe that many credible successful web 2 projects have realized this.
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