What should the Internet be? It’s more than just a series of tubes, right? But what else is it? More interestingly, what should it be?
Watch Andrew Blum’s TED talk:
Who was Aaron Swartz, and what are his contributions to the Internet and to society? Watch the trailer for:
https://rutgers.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Introduction+to+the+Internet+Activism+of+Aaron+Swartz/1_oehrqh81
After watching the videos above, here are the three things to write about:
First, summarize Andrew Blum’s argument for why the Internet can be thought of as something like “a series of tubes.” Focus on the physicality of the Internet. Try to use what you know about the history and technology of the Internet to support the idea that the Internet can be thought of as “a series of tubes.”
Second, summarize Andrew Blum’s argument for why the Internet is more than just a “series of tubes.” Try to use what you know about the history and technology of the Internet to support the idea that the Internet should not be thought of as “a series of tubes.”
Finally, conclude with a summary of what you think the Internet should be. What needs to change? What needs to go away? What needs to be better? This must be something that is directly related to either what Sir Tim Berners-Lee wants the Internet to be, or what Aaron Swartz wanted the Internet to be. In other words, what vision of the Internet do you share with these visionaries?