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Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee just did a Reddit AMA. Here’s what we learned

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Image Credit: Tim Berners-Lee

A year after his last Reddit AMA, web creator Tim Berners-Lee rejoins the forum to answer more questions.

So far we’ve learned that net neutrality is a good thing, the future of the Internet is bright, and Lee loves people (and memes). For more learnings, read on:

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bay400: Hey Professor Tim! Two questions: What are your views/thoughts/feelings on net neutrality? What are your views/thoughts/feelings on the modern internet?

Berners-Lee: Net neutrality is really important. Basically we do so much cool stuff on top of the network layer, it has to remain an unbiased infrastructure for all our discussion, innovation, etc. I must have the right to be able to communicate with whatever or whoever I want, without discrimination, be it political or commercial. See for example things I’ve said at [link] and [link].

ThePCIExpress: With the developments about internet users’ privacy (or lack of) online, what would you recommend we do? Do we stand up to the government, or get around these problems with encryption etc?Tim

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Berners-Lee: Great and very important question, with no simple answer. We must work with government to make them accountable when they use our personal data — however they got it. Just a battle of crypto might is not a solution, we also need to change laws and change the structure of government agencies. We need to give the police certain power in exchange for transparency and accountability. And we need to encrypt email and web traffic everywhere, for general security.The PCIExpress: With the developments about internet users’ privacy (or lack of) online, what would you recommend we do? Do we stand up to the government, or get around these problems with encryption etc?

Berners-Lee:  Great and very important question, with no simple answer. We must work with government to make them accountable when they use our personal data — however they got it. Just a battle of crypto might is not a solution, we also need to change laws and change the structure of government agencies. We need to give the police certain power in exchange for transparency and accountability. And we need to encrypt email and web traffic everywhere, for general security.

Onerd: Whats your best non-internet thing that you love?

Berners-Lee: People

Foshi22: Do you remember your first thoughts, or words, when you achieved the first successful communication between a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) client and server?

Berners-Lee: Nope. I was head down getting stuff working…. the server and client were both on my machine at that stage… I wasn’t using source code control, so I could nto go back and find the critical commit with the “hmm GET seems to work” comment :-)

gabovanlugo: How do you see the web in the next 20 years? Any milestone to consider that changes the way we use internet?

Berners-Lee: Well… We have had a whole campaign webwewant.org to ask people what sort for a web they want for the next 25 years. It is up to us, but hopefully we will lock down (in culture and where necessary law) the fact that it is open. The number of people using the web will soon cross the 50% and soon 75% of the world population, and then instead of worrying about getting the majority online the spotlight will b to those who remain disenfranchised in the remaining 25%, 10% . Milestone? When I have enough bandwidth to bring me a scene in wrap-around HD so my eyes and ears can’t tell I’m not in the other place.

silentservant: Hi Tim! Quick one but important:What is the single most valuable thing I can do on an individual level to help defend the open internet?

Berners-Lee: Great question. Keep asking that question. Don’t take it for granted. Keep an eye on the situation in your town, your country, your company. In each year of using it, spend some time with others working or writing or lobbying or protesting as needed to keep it open.

blue-orange: What do you think about the right to being connected to the internet? I’m not asking just for now. How important do you think it would be in, say, 50 years from now?

Berners-Lee: I think it will become more and more crucial. (See e.g.) In many ways the web is not just a luxury for cool early adopters it is critical for people to really take part in society, education.

The #MakeTechHuman idea is about technology serving humanity … much of that is going to use the net. So no use if the netis controlled spied on or only available to the few.

bhalp1: What are your views on the treatment of women on the internet with regards to harassment and threat, typically often geared towards activists?

Berners-Lee: I think that the mistreatment/abuse/harassment of women is a very serious issue. I think in general boys need to learn early on to have and to show total respect for all women. If you look back at your online behavior and realize you have made even one off-color remark, then cringe and never do it again. It has a massive negative affect. It is not funny. It is not cute.

phoenixiss: What do you think about memes?

Berners-Lee:  One does not simply ask the inventor of the WWW what he thinks about memes.

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