During the Applied Sciences conference in Zaandam, speakers discussed the digital future. Not the least names were mentioned for this. On Thursday afternoon, Tim Berners-Lee and Edward Snowden spoke. A message from Ukrainian President Zelensky was also broadcast.
It The Next Web (TNW) conference annually offers a podium to speakers and exhibitors. There is also a lot to discuss this year: conflicts and financial uncertainties have a major global impact. The world of tech plays a major role in this. Three great speakers know how to interpret, inspire and encourage digital developments to seize this moment for a better digital future. For example, were Tim Berners-Lee (founder of the internet), Edward Snowden (whistleblower who, among other things, uncovered the NSA abuses) and Volodymyr Zelensky (President of Ukraine) speaking.
Because Snowden is accused of ‘espionage’ because of his revelations, his participation was not physical, but via a video link with the secure video chat program Jitsi. Zelensky participated with a pre-recorded video presentation.
Web 3.0
The speakers jokingly refer to the latest developments as web 3.0, referring to the rise of the web and web 2.0: where input from internet users themselves (from Wikipedia to social media) caused a revolution. Another speaker (Gavin Wood, creator of Ethereum, among others) called the web 3.0 revolution the post-Snowden internet. Encryption (for example via blockchain) and decentralization are central to this.
Decentralization means that you are no longer held on platforms, but that you gain more control over your data. Our videos are on YouTube, but whose are they? The same goes for our health data. Platforms like Fitbit collect and hold this. Berners-Lee dreams of a future where this collected health data first stays with you locally – and then is only shared after your express green light. To health apps, relatives, doctors or other online services.
Blockchain
Cryptocurrency also plays a role in this. Snowden uses the example of banks here, the money in your account has become something intangible and you are not in control. If something happens to the bank or if you come into conflict with the bank, they have the option to deny you access to this. Decentralization takes place here by means of cryptocurrency: a digital payment method that you manage yourself.
While Wood was visibly depressed by the recent crash in the value of digital currencies, Snowden is optimistic: cryptocurrencies are now mainly the domain of investors. Many people who engage in it do this to enrich themselves. The payment method is misused by people who scam or want to get richer. The recent crash hits these people hard.
Snowden emphasizes the purpose of cryptocurrency: a digital payment method that you have in your own management. It allows you to spend your money independently and anonymously (as cash is in the ordinary world). He states that people who believe in this and therefore invest in cryptocurrency are of course also affected, but know that this is part of it. These investors are there for the long term and have also seen the payment method grow in possibilities. It’s getting easier and easier to get and pay with. Snowden also emphasizes that cryptocurrency would never have allowed him to save himself during his 2013 revelations.
Do we really want this change?
A decentralized internet still sounds a bit like a utopia. It does not matter that we are in control of our data, whether it is health, behaviour, payment or other data. It will mean claiming this self-control from tech giants, governments, banks and other agencies. That will be a fight. Wood also likes such a change, but ask himself: “if we want to change things positively, we really have to want this”.
Zelensky combative
In addition to the affected country, the recent war in Ukraine has also had a huge global impact. Our financial and digital world in particular is changing noticeably. Our real money is depreciating and cryptocurrencies have already plummeted in value. Our information supply is also being shaken up: as in all wartime, censorship and propaganda play a role. A well-known quote “When there is war, the first victim is the truth” is also applicable in our age of social media and fake news.
Zelensky fits into this with his speech, combative as always. Dressed in a nerd-responsible Star Wars shirt, he calls on us to build a free digital world. With our support, the support of tech companies (like Starlink did with internet provision after the Russian invasion), Ukraine can become a cradle of a free (digital) future.
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