The open web is under pressure from AI companies and large platforms, but its troubles did not start with AI. We also chose convenience over control, and we will have to change that if we want a better web.
As someone who’s seen the internet arrive, watched the various battles (best seen on Internet Explorer at 640x320) and tried all the latest things (why use gopher when google can search immediately), then I do think it started out well
But, yep, I’ve also seen the effects when the bills needed paying and realising that just taking things that are “free” without giving anything back is unsustainable.
That’s why I contribute when & where I can… Arch Wiki, Open Street Map, a few payments to developers and independant media sources, helping others…
But it takes some effort and I get it, not everyone has the same priorities. Yet.
Yeah, an interesting piece.
As someone who’s seen the internet arrive, watched the various battles (best seen on Internet Explorer at 640x320) and tried all the latest things (why use gopher when google can search immediately), then I do think it started out well
But, yep, I’ve also seen the effects when the bills needed paying and realising that just taking things that are “free” without giving anything back is unsustainable.
That’s why I contribute when & where I can… Arch Wiki, Open Street Map, a few payments to developers and independant media sources, helping others…
But it takes some effort and I get it, not everyone has the same priorities. Yet.