What is Web3 and Why is it Important?
In recent years, Web3 or Web3.0 has become a common buzzword, with tech moguls throwing it around frequently. But what is Web 3 and why is it important?
Whether you realize it or not, the internet is widely owned by a few corporations, and Web 3 is the movement to create a more decentralized World Wide Web. Read on to learn more about Web 3 and why you should care.
The Stages of the Web
Believe it or not, the internet we use today is already an improvement on the original. Read on to learn more about the history of the internet, and what you can expect next.
Web 1.0
Sometimes called the OG web, Web 1.0, or the original internet, launched in 1990 and was low on the capability scale. Basically, companies could write profiles for customers to read, but that was where the capabilities ended. There was no connection between people, and certainly nothing close to sales.
Web 2.0
The read-only web continued until around 2004, when additional capabilities were added so users could both read and write on the internet. This led to the advent of social media websites allowing users to post, share, and like.
Unfortunately, the early switch from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 was costly, and as such, only a few companies began to control multiple facets of the World Wide Web. This is the current internet we know and love, with the large companies we speak of: none other than Meta, Google, and Amazon.
Web 3.0
The term Web 3.0 was coined by none other than Ethereum creator Gavin Wood, and it is a blueprint for returning the control of the internet to those it was originally meant for—users. No longer will you pay for internet use via your data, and if you do decide to volunteer your data, you will be compensated—instead of the money going to the large corporations behind the internet.
Web 3.0 has become a term to encompass everything from cryptocurrency to NFTs and even gaming. While it does exist, adoption has been slow, and thus the “beginning” is thought to be around 2020, with adoption still ongoing. Of course, the large companies involved in creating Web 2.0 are quick to shoot Web 3.0 down, which only further hinders its growth. Web 3.0 focuses on decentralization, user ownership, and privacy, three things which would cut into corporate profits.
And Beyond
While Web 3.0 adoption is ongoing, we don’t believe this is the last stop for the internet. In fact, many individuals have begun to speak of what will come after. Though we haven’t heard the term Web 4.0 yet, we are sure it will come. But you’ll have to wait and watch to learn more about what comes beyond Web 3.0.
What Are The Core Ideas of Web 3?
Web 3 was built to end the monopoly the internet has become. In our opinion, the internet is only one merger away from being a business owned by a single dictating company.
Here are the core values of Web 3:
Decentralized: Every user owns a piece of the internet
Permissionless: Anyone can access and become owners of a portion of the internet.
Native payments: Web 3 will run on cryptocurrency (no more banks!)
Trustless: No need to rely on 3rd parties in Web 3.
Why Is Web3 Important?
Unfortunately, the world is trending in a direction where regular everyday people are becoming the product, more than they are actual people. Because of this trend, governments are pushing individuals to have more children because they need more fodder for their machine, and the internet is a huge part of this.
Web3 is a movement that goes against the grain, removing yourself as a product of the internet. As we mentioned above, every time you use the internet, you are giving your information, for free, to a large business that is not only selling that information to others but also using it for its own gain. As such, you have become the product of the internet, and you receive nothing for the violation of your rights.
Forcing the internet to become more decentralized returns the power of the internet to the people, and the large businesses behind the internet know this, and they too are already trying to weasel their way into Web3. But unlike Web2, there is no way to buy Web3, as that’s the whole point of Web3.
If Web3 fails to emerge, we worry that the large corporations behind the internet will continue to use their power and influence as a tool of exploitation and power (something they are already starting to do; just look at Meta’s and Google’s political donations). So, if you want to stop being exploited, then it’s time to join the Web3 movement.
What Technologies Does Web3 Need?
Web 3 is based on several technologies, with the most important ones listed below.
· Blockchain
· Smart Contracts
· Digital Assets/Tokens
Each of these technologies is critical for the operation of Web3, and though each of these products performs different tasks, they all have something in common—they are decentralized, permissionless, and trustless.
How to Start With Web3
Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to enter Web3—one of the many barriers the technology is facing. That being said, here are the steps you can take to delve into Web3 little by little.
1. Switch to MetaMask
Every time you use Google Chrome, they get paid. Switch to a decentralized internet browser. We recommend MetaMask because it also allows for cryptocurrency integration. Brave is another option.
2. Leave Centralized Social Media
Meta now owns Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Google owns YouTube, and TikTok is owned by Oracle. They own anything you post there. We recommend switching to Mastodon or Odysee.
3. Choose Decentralized Apps Whenever Possible
There are still many holes in the Web 3 space, and it is impossible to switch over completely, but if you switch to decentralized browsers and social media, you’re halfway there. We recommend following Web3 developers to stay up to date on new offerings and switching over when they become available.
