The development of the internet was heavily funded by the US military, highlighting the war-making incentive behind its creation.
The fusion of public and private power shaped the internet's development, debunking the myth of market-driven innovation.
The privatization of the internet concentrated power in the hands of a few powerful corporations, such as Amazon, Google, and Facebook.
Deep dives
Origins of the Internet: Military Funding and Purpose
The origins of the internet can be traced back to the military funding by the US Pentagon, specifically DARPA, in the mid-1970s. The military's intention was to develop a way for computers in the United States to communicate with smaller mobile computers deployed on the battlefield. This war-making incentive made the development of the internet possible.
Alternative Models of the Internet
While the US military played a significant role in funding and developing the internet, there were also other experiments and networks emerging around the world. The Soviet Union, for example, explored internet-like technologies for economic planning. Other countries like Chile and France also had their own inter-networking experiments. The international community contributed to the development of ideas for networking, but the significant financial investment required was sustained by the US military.
The Fusion of Public and Private Power
The development of the internet and its technological innovations debunk the notion of a clear distinction between the state and the market. Many of the major technological innovations that form the foundation of today's tech industry can be traced back to government-funded research. However, the tech industry often perpetuates a myth that innovation happens through market-driven individuals, obscuring the role of public investment. The fusion of public and private power is evident in the development of the internet and continues to shape the way the internet functions today.
Privatization of the Internet
The privatization of the internet began in the mid-1990s when the National Science Foundation transferred control of the internet's physical infrastructure to private hands. This privatization process, which culminated in 1995, paved the way for the dot-com boom and the search for profitable business models on the internet. The handover of the internet's infrastructure to the private sector, without enduring public control or compensation, resulted in the concentration of power in the hands of a few powerful private corporations. Privatization continued over time, leading to the current dominance of tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Facebook.
Challenges and Possibilities for Change
The future of the tech industry and the internet is uncertain. While a tighter monetary environment and potential regulatory efforts may pose challenges for startups and tech companies, the current market power of big tech firms makes it difficult for upstarts to disrupt their dominance. However, the landscape may change at the edges, and regulatory policies can play a role in reshaping the market. The potential for new innovations and alternatives to emerge remains, but major disruptions in the tech industry may be less likely. It is crucial to address the concentration of power and imagine new architectures for technology that prioritize the public interest and collective imagination.
This week, Grace speaks to Ben Tarnoff, author of Internet for the People. They talk about the web's origins, how it was enclosed and privatised, and ways we might work together to build a different model for the internet.
You can support our work on the show by becoming a patron. Thanks to our producer Conor Gillies and to the Lipman-Miliband Trust for making this episode possible.
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