So what, exactly, is Web3?

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View this email in your browser  |   Manage newsletter subscriptions     By Jennifer Conrad | 05.12.22 Good morning! AOL Instant Messenger was introduced 25 years ago this month. The internet has changed a lot since then.     The Web3 Movement's Quest to Build a 'Can't Be Evil' Internet In the 1990s, the promise of the World Wide Web was that anyone could publish online—though most people wound up visiting websites from major publishers rather than creating their own. A decade later, Web 2.0's social media posts, user-generated content, and comments sections were supposed to put the internet back in the hands of the people, only to see the online experience consolidate around a few large platforms like Facebook and Google. And now, the term Web3 is being used to describe anything related to blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, or NFTs. But what exactly is it? Gilad Edelman traveled to Colorado to attend ETHDenver, a gathering of some 10,000 enthusiasts of Web3 and the cryptocurrency Ethereum, to find out. At its worst, Web3 is a "flashing-neon crypto casino" of scams and celebrity-endorsed schemes. But true believers think that decentralizing everything can democratize the web where Web 2.0 failed to, wresting control from tech companies, financial intermediaries, and government oversight. "Its mission is almost achingly idealistic: to free humanity not only from Big Tech domination but also from exploitative capitalism itself—and to do it purely through code," Edelman writes. Can it work? Or will Web3 once again coalesce among a few major gatekeepers? Read what Edelman learned among the crypto-evangelists in Denver.     Deep(er) Learning: Welcome to Web3 The Father of Web3 Wants You to Trust Less Last year Gavin Wood, who coined the term Web3 in 2014, told Edelman he believes decentralized technologies are the only hope of preserving liberal democracy.   The Uncanny Mind That Built Ethereum In 2016, Morgen Peck wrote about Vitalik Buterin, who invented the world's hottest new cryptocurrency and inspired a movement—before he'd turned 20.   How to Buy and Sell NFTs (If You Must) Earlier this year, Reese Rogers provided a few tips for setting up your crypto wallet, navigating the market, and avoiding scams.     Need to Know The Portable, Off-Grid 3D Gigalab Can Turn Trash Into Treasure With a facility the size of a small shipping container, re:3D lets communities recycle their junk into useful products right on-site. Google Assistant's Future Is Looking Us Right in the Face Google says its voice assistant is getting more conversational, and that face unlocking is ready to replace wake words. But don't hold your breath. How YouTube Can Rewrite the Past and Shape an Election Philippine researcher Fatima Gaw says the platform has become a hub for pro-Marcos historical revisionism. Fat, Tired, and Insecure: Supernatural VR Makes Working Out Accessible The virtual reality fitness program is inspiring users who say they never felt accepted by traditional gyms. GET WIRED A helicopter on Mars. What to expect post-Covid. The next electrifying/terrifying leap in AI explained. Give yourself the gift of information. Get 1 year of WIRED for less than $1 per month. That includes Steven Levy's exclusive newsletter and a free tote! Subscribe now.     So, This Happened As part of a settlement to a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Clearview AI agreed to stop selling its face recognition database to private companies in the US. (The Washington Post) US Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses private data brokers to collect information on hundreds of millions of Americans, according to a new report. (The Verge) Google and Meta are building undersea cables to improve internet access in Africa—but the cables give US-based companies unprecedented control. (Rest of World) After almost 22 years, Apple will phase out the iPod. (The New York Times)     Until Next Time   J. Kenji López-Alt breaks down the science of stir-fry.           Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here. Have questions or comments? Reply to this email.   This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2022. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.