The probability is that you may already endeavour Web3 features without even noticing it and learning the name. Yes, it is the next version of the World Wide Web or “WWW”, after Web1 and Web2.
People used Web1 to write, send and receive emails, find information, or read the content of articles. You can say now that it was nothing special, but in early ’90 it was very innovative, and people quickly accepted it.I remember first time connecting to the internet by telephone dial-up modem then typing and sending my first personal email. It was super exciting to be worldwide connected. Super cool and incredibly practical.Soon after Web2 was introduced, it offered a lot more possibilities. People were able to actively participate and interact one with another. It was much more than a message sending or content browsing. Social media were growing, and communities were mushrooming. Multiple forms of communication and collaboration were built. Common use at a large scale was established. I guess, still not too many people know it by the Web2 name, but its acceptance was awesome, and the number of users were rapidly growing.
So, quickly grew the selection of new offered services like online banking and online shopping. Similarly, the fashion of using mobile came to life and get good traction and popularity. Following the bigger the better size of screens trends and finally touch screens reality.
The acceptance was high despite the relatively high costs of participation. Also, the onboarding process was not a super easy task which demand some level of technical literacy plus user interface understanding. Nevertheless, people of all ages start learning and “clicking like crazy” to be fully engaged and properly connected.
The Armies of happy users were growing and constantly producing tons of personal data. Digital interactions, locations, and endless lists of friends’ connections were synchronised and shared. The users were usually not thinking about consequences, never fully controlled it, or fully owned their data.
But and the end of the day who cared? The fun was important, the masses were made happy, and it was probably worth it!
Most personal data were locked and owned by the Web2 providers and a social media owners. To some extent it was like feeding a gigantic internet monster that swallow your metadata to grow, uses it for targeted advertising practices, and sells your data to other businesses.
Nevertheless, most users were contented, so very delighted were the media owners. An interesting model of mutual acceptance of data handling and participation in benefits was formed. It successfully continued and survived till now, the question is will it continue happily ever after?
Likely, as an alternative, recently Web 3.0 arrived. This time the name is properly highlighted. It’s The Web3. You know it or never heard about it. Up to You! Your choice your freedom. Nobody banning you or pushing you to use it!
But is good to notice that in the Web3 case participants’ interactions and the way our data is treated have changed. The whole usage of the internet may also evolve with many iterations. It is a gate to decentralisation and modern digital web technologies. What is for sure now, is the Web3 is the door and a window to the decentralised banking, decentralise and centralized finance, NFT assets, IoT, and virtual reality such as metaverses and virtual land parcels. Various real-world use cases are introduced on an almost a daily basis. It includes almost all major industries small businesses, and many common life activities.
The core values include owning and controlling your data, being transparent if needed, and do not allow tempering your records. Finally, not only read and write on your virtual ledger but also execute it on the Web3 stack structure. You are the boss in your chosen Web3 digital kingdom. You have got immutability granted and a window of privacy from the public offered. Some tweaking may be welcome, but the foundation is solid.
Just by setting up your first digital wallet and acquiring a first digital asset, you are saying and printing “Hello WEB3 World!” Then you can take your assets with you and go whatever you want, for example to another similar digital service provider or change the platform and the whole story.
You paid for it, so you own it. You are taking it with you, cos you own your digital assets. That is the beauty of the internet of value and the Web 3 activity of participation.
Yes, the Web3 is already here, and in working order!
Continuous adoption will constantly follow, as more and more people say “Hello” to Web3. Just by installing the first dApp and connecting to a blockchain, you are getting first-level status of being crypto native.
Yes, I forgot to mention that the Web3 stack is built and working on blockchain, and using smart contracts, but do not get too scary, please. Blockchain is a good thing when in hands of good people. Similarly, Web1 was, and Web2 is.
Finally, the Web3 stack may look different from a different perspective, it depends on who you are and want are you doing with it. Ok, that’s enough for a first Web3-contact introduction.
To not to over-complicate the innovative topic, I will offer one simple example of Web3 popularity and use case. From a real-life and an authentic story.
My friend’s grandmother is a proud “Hoodler” of the quarter of Bitcoin. She owns it for more than 2 years now, but when I asked her about Web3’s existence her answer was – never heard about it!
Her grandchild bought her, and set up a non-custodial cold wallet, without mentioning the entire headache around it. She very quickly picked up the main ropes and fell in love to it to the level of “controlled addiction”. She also learned how to use multiple dApps, occasionally asking for help with installation. No more comments are needed.
That case is not restricted to one Granny only. Many people of any ages learned how to install, register, secure, and operate digital wallets and digital platforms without noticing it is a part of Web3. They may not even notice that this is the part of the internet of value, where you can control and own not only your tokens, but also your data, and if you are lucky even monetise it!
Similar for gamers, why not own your favourite skin or a gadget collection and be in charge of where and what you do with it? To be able to pick up your toys whatever you want and move them with you to another game reality.
It’s cool and awesome, I guess and probably many of you have noticed it. Highly likely even kids practising it without excessive discussion of the Web3 technical complexity. Especially Kids because they not asking too many questions. Just clicking and trying, to learn the top-down way.
There is no need for everyone to understand the stack architecture and underlying Web3 complexity, but conceptual knowledge and basic understanding certainly do not hurt. There is no need to learn all the ropes and technicalities behind the internet of value, but I certainly do not agree, that learning about the “seed phrase” is rocket science and toll order.
People are clever now, well-self-educated, and keen to learn especially useful and practical things. Maybe the way of presenting the knowledge or teaching methods is not designed in the way that suits majorities. If the answer is Yes, it can be changed and tailored to a personal use if needed. I deeply believe in that.
One of the ways is to allow people to ask questions combined with active listening. Then answer it by explanation in a very precise but easy-to-understand language. There is no place for obfuscation or fanciful jargon.
Although still, some new technical terms need to be learned, the process may be a good experience leading you to a better Web3 understanding. Deeper knowledge will come with time and experience, but to enable it you need to give it a try first. Start reading, asking questions, and learning. Ask a trusted person for help if you need it, as mentioned earlier Granny did. The right time and right way will come to everyone, I think.
The Web3 is inevitable and awaiting mass adoption IMO. It will soon be a part of our personal lives, incorporate into businesses, and industries, and used on a government scale. The time will tell if I was right.
Appreciate your patience and temptation to reading it, Author.
PS. The text was written by a human author only, so some imperfections may be incorporated into it. But try to consider it, as the “organic” text, please.
Originally published at https://spektrumlab.io on January 29, 2023.