Berners-Lee on the read/write web Presentation by: Mike Duncan

Who is this guy? Sir Tim Berners-Lee (TBL) Sir Tim Berners-Lee (TBL) Created the first website in 1991 Created the first website in 1991 Article is an interview with TBL Article is an interview with TBL Interviewed by Mark from BBC Newsnight Interviewed by Mark from BBC Newsnight TBL shares his thoughts about the good and the bad things on the Internet, and what he hopes the Internet to be for humanity TBL shares his thoughts about the good and the bad things on the Internet, and what he hopes the Internet to be for humanity

Question 1 The Internet allows easy and quick access to information, but what about unsolicited links to porn sites or stolen identity? Is the latter absolutely worth paying for the former? The Internet allows easy and quick access to information, but what about unsolicited links to porn sites or stolen identity? Is the latter absolutely worth paying for the former?

TBL Answer 1 The web should be something which doesn’t try to coerce people into putting particular sorts of things on it The web should be something which doesn’t try to coerce people into putting particular sorts of things on it We need to individually focus on putting good things online We need to individually focus on putting good things online People need to protect themselves from the bad stuff People need to protect themselves from the bad stuff Many of the bad things are a problem with humanity, not the Internet Many of the bad things are a problem with humanity, not the Internet

Question 2 In terms of what it has allowed, what are the achievements of the web? In terms of what it has allowed, what are the achievements of the web?

TBL Answer 2 The Internet is not a medium which makes people do good or bad The Internet is not a medium which makes people do good or bad It allows people to do what they want more efficiently It allows people to do what they want more efficiently People exist in an information space that doesn’t know geographical boundaries People exist in an information space that doesn’t know geographical boundaries He hopes the web will bring together people around the planet He hopes the web will bring together people around the planet The Internet is a substrate for humanity The Internet is a substrate for humanity

Question 3 Do you feel responsible… for what happens on the net? Do you feel responsible… for what happens on the net?

TBL Answer 3 TBL does not feel responsible for everything that humanity does TBL does not feel responsible for everything that humanity does TBL does feel responsible when people take on the web expecting one thing and find another TBL does feel responsible when people take on the web expecting one thing and find another TBL is involved in The World Wide Web Consortium (organization trying to make the web better) TBL is involved in The World Wide Web Consortium (organization trying to make the web better)

Question 4 What about a rewritable web? What about a rewritable web?

TBL Answer 4 In the early days of the Internet, the idea was that anybody who used the web would have a space where they could write in response to what they have read online In the early days of the Internet, the idea was that anybody who used the web would have a space where they could write in response to what they have read online Editing web pages became difficult/complicated Editing web pages became difficult/complicated In past years, TBL has addressed the fact that, for most people, the web is not a creative space In past years, TBL has addressed the fact that, for most people, the web is not a creative space He is happy that the web is going in the blog/creative direction He is happy that the web is going in the blog/creative direction

Question 5 What about the reliability of information online? What about the reliability of information online?

TBL Answer 5 Look for sources of information Look for sources of information Ignore if there is no source to the original article Ignore if there is no source to the original article Keep bookmarks when you find reliable sites Keep bookmarks when you find reliable sites Don’t go back to sites that are not reliable Don’t go back to sites that are not reliable

Question 6 Do you ever feel bad/responsible for the sexual perversion online? Do you ever feel bad/responsible for the sexual perversion online?

TBL Answer 6 We must think of the things that should seriously concern us: We must think of the things that should seriously concern us: Illegal things Illegal things Instructions on making explosives Instructions on making explosives Ways to harm people Ways to harm people Etc Etc TBL surrounds himself with the positive achievements of the Internet TBL surrounds himself with the positive achievements of the Internet TBL does not support pornography TBL does not support pornography

Question 7 Is the web like a growing person? Is the web like a growing person?

TBL Answer 7 The web had its years of adolescence when it was trying to push the boundaries The web had its years of adolescence when it was trying to push the boundaries Spam Spam Phishing Phishing Piracy Piracy TBL believes these things will settle down TBL believes these things will settle down A 30 year old Internet will be much more stable A 30 year old Internet will be much more stable

TBL’s Final Thoughts on the Internet Clean slate for humanity, no preconceived notions of what is built on top Clean slate for humanity, no preconceived notions of what is built on top Flexible, universal medium Flexible, universal medium