Similarities Between Non-fungible tokens and worldwide web

Synopsis: Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web (WWW), compared the idea behind WWW to that of blockchain-based NFTs (Non-fungible tokens). 

What are Non-fungible tokens? 

Non-fungible tokens are built on blockchain technology, which is aimed toward decentralising power, which is what the Web was supposed to do before Big Tech empires developed. 

NFTs are “one-of-a-kind” assets in the digital world. These digital tokens can be thought of as certificates of ownership for virtual or physical assets.  

How the NFTs and original idea of web is the same? 

• Firstly, the Web was created with the intention of serving as a democratizer and equaliser, for empowering all while eliminating monopolies and intermediaries. The Web solved three issues: an information problem with search and wikis, a communication problem with email and instant messaging, and a distribution problem with file-sharing and e-commerce. 

• However, it could not address the two big problems: one of trust and security, and another of disintermediation. The intermediaries today, own most of our online data and information.  

• Secondly, blockchain is supposed to solve problems of trust and of inequality and thus bring us closer to the original vision of Time Berners-Lee and his co-conspirators. 
• Thirdly, there are similarities in the original vision for the web and the philosophy behind the decentralized network of Ethereum’s blockchain, which supports most NFTs.  
• Fourthly, a latest project, Solid is designed to give us back control of our personal data. The blockchain and Solid communities share the motivations of wanting to empower people.  
• Lastly, blockchain projects were motivated by resistance to central control. Much like the open, democratic and decentralized origins of the Web. 

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