"The web was an interesting and different place before links got monetized."

Yes. Yes it was.

We've lost key features that we used to rely on, and worse, we've abandoned core values that used to be fundamental to the web world. To the credit of today's social networks, they've brought in hundreds of millions of new participants to these networks, and they've certainly made a small number of people rich.

But they haven't shown the web itself the respect and care it deserves, as a medium which has enabled them to succeed. And they've now narrowed the possibilites of the web for an entire generation of users who don't realize how much more innovative and meaningful their experience could be. 

Anil has more on his mind than "some standard polemic" about walled gardens. So, as we used to say back in the day, read the whole thing.

Comments

[RBM]

And the second, more grave fallacy, is the thinking that exerting extreme control over users is the best way to maximize the profitability and sustainability of their networks.

- Anil

Anthropomorphizing 'the web' is of limited use. This is the use you employed in this post. So, to be clear, it has some value.

The quote I posted gets a bit, but not completely, closer to recognizing the dynamic of the monetizing the web, by definition, is objectifying people(users).

As one who also engages in this 'verbal shorthand' I'll note the truth of Anil's statement by wishing all who think of people primarily in terms of maximizing profits learn to search for better ways.

I expect it to be a long slog.

Those such as you and Anil and others such as Dave Winer for example, have your work cut out for you. I'm glad you all are doing the work, I just hope you can affect significant changes at the higher levels that is required to for long lasting improvements to result.