Making Sense with Sam Harris #290 — What Went Wrong?
18 snips
Jul 21, 2022 
Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and a pioneer in internet technology, joins to discuss the evolution of the internet and its culture. He shares insights on ad-based monetization, the transformative journey from Web 1 to Web 3, and the mysteries surrounding Bitcoin and Satoshi Nakamoto. Andreessen critiques institutional responses during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores how technology can reorder power in society. Their conversation uncovers the intertwining of innovation, skepticism, and the future of cryptocurrency.
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Mosaic and Netscape
- Sam Harris and Marc Andreessen discuss the creation of Mosaic, the first popular internet browser.
- Initially a research project, it transitioned into Netscape due to increasing commercial interest, despite widespread skepticism about the internet's potential.
Why Ads?
- Marc Andreessen explains why early internet businesses adopted an ad-based model.
- Banks and credit card companies were skeptical of the internet's potential, hindering early attempts at online transactions.
Web3: Read, Write, and Own
- Web1 focused on reading content, Web2 on reading and writing (user-generated content).
- Web3 aims to add ownership and economic incentives, allowing users to own value, money, and digital assets.