Have you ever wondered why I’m so passionate about the idea of maintaining an independent and self-sufficient web presence? Well, it all goes back to the visionary thinking of Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the mastermind behind HTTP and HTML. In the early days of the internet, browsers like Mosaic and Netscape weren’t the passive platforms we use today. They empowered us to not only consume but also create content. We could craft entire HTML web pages and share them on servers worldwide, not just leave a few comments in a cookie-cutter form field on a centralized social media platform.
This dream of digital freedom was also the same promise echoed in those ’90s TV commercials that were enthusiastically selling us the idea of internet access. Do you remember the catchy slogans? “Be your own publisher!” “Start your radio station!” “Now, Aunt Emma in Germany can sell her homemade pretzels to customers down under!”
Fast forward to today, we can indeed do all that, but there’s a catch. We owe it to the tech giants who hold the keys to our online kingdom, and they’re not afraid to lock us out or tax us to the hilt. The promise of independence has been hijacked, and we’re partly to blame. We got too comfortable to learn a few basic HTML elements. The tech giants didn’t need to use force; we willingly handed over the reins.
We’ve already lost so much, and the advent of AI threatens to make things even more precarious. It’s not just about taking more; it’s about the profound societal impact. Worried that platforms like TikTok are dulling our youth’s intellect or that burning ancient books is an irretrievable loss? Well, brace yourself for what AI might bring.
Let me be clear; I’m all for technological progress. I’m a bit of a nerd myself, always ready to embrace the latest tech. However, I’m also acutely aware of the detrimental consequences when ethics are sidelined for profit. Technological advancement should be guided by a strong ethical compass.
It’s high time we reclaim our share of progress. Progress isn’t just about generating wealth for a select few; it’s about enhancing comfort, productivity, and efficiency for all. If you can’t grasp this, that’s your prerogative. I’ve reached an age where I’m not overly concerned about other people’s feelings.
So, feel free to let big tech wire your brain to their central computers and moan when your accounts get banned. The choice is yours – blue pill or red pill. That’s the way it goes.
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