Community Internet

The videos I watched this week focused on the idea of the Internet being maintained by the community. I find this idea fascinating because it seems to be at odds with our world. We live in a world filled with cynicism and mistrust, and yet one of the most impactful inventions in our lifetime is maintained by everyone.

Kevin Kelly talked about the future evolution of the Internet in his video about the next 5000 days of the web. He discussed the eventual need to become totally transparent. I am not sure we will ever get to a point where people will be able to be totally transparent on the Internet. Although the majority of people are good, it is those few bad ones that make the world unsafe. Opening yourself up to being transparent is basically asking to have your identity stolen. In theory it is great. I love the idea that we can live in a cyber utopia where everyone loves each other and shows mutual respect. I believe, however, that this is not the future of our Internet.