I don't know where this thread will go, but I figured I would just start it and see where it takes us.

I've always been interested in cryptocurrency and blockchains, but I've only recently started really digging into what's possible with this tech. I still struggle with a lot of the concepts and how it all works, but I am starting to see how these ideas can democratize the internet and make it what it was supposed to be (IMO).

Here are a few key attributes of each web "version" as I understand it:

Web 1.0
The static web. Mostly read-only, with the focus on companies and products. Few creators, most users are consumers of content.

Web 2.0
The dynamic web. Social networks shift the focus to individuals. Sites and apps are interactive platforms, users are both the creators and consumers of content. Ad-driven, makes users into the product being sold. Power is centralized, Big Tech owns the cloud.

Web 3
The decentralized web. Blockchains enable users to be not only the creators and consumers of content, but also the owners of content. Power is decentralized, users own the cloud.

My take: I think people are realizing that we put too much trust in big tech, big finance, and big government, and the services that they provide will be slowly replaced by open, trustless, distributed systems. DeFi (decentralized finance) is already big and DeCloud is in progress. I have high hopes for DeGov, but I have no idea what that would look like and I'm not sure certain people would let it happen. A boy can dream, though.

What are your thoughts? Is the decentralization and democratization of the digital world the future, or will the Bigs fight it and kill it? Will quantum computers eventually break the whole system since it is all built on crypto?

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Posted by Hulkklogan

Baton Rouge, LA

Member since Oct 2010

43471 posts

Posted on 12/4/21 at 6:44 am to Korkstand

I believe in it wholeheartedly, and I love the space. I'm learning to develop in my spare time so I can transition my career into web3 or solidity dev. Have been self-studying the last 6 months or so and can read most contracts and have an understanding of what's going on. Writing out smart contracts is still a bit above me.

Solidity, JS, Vue, Ethers, etc.

It's a lot to learn but I'm having fun. Discord groups are all so engaging, fun, and helpful.

As for quantum computing, cryptographers around the world are already working on developing encryption standards that would be quantum-hardened. When it comes time, Blockchains will have to fork to new standards.

quote:
My take: I think people are realizing that we put too much trust in big tech, big finance, and big government, and the services that they provide will be slowly replaced by open, trustless, distributed systems.

I think it's more like we didn't have the tools to decentralize before. This is how major revolutions happen organically. A technological advancement decentralizes power in some way... Think of the printing press back long ago, then the internet, particularly web2, enabled more people to make a living on their own, and now web3 and crypto overall is going to forever change the landscape.

This post was edited on 12/4/21 at 6:53 am

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