Comment by Greg Boutin on Web 3.0:
Although the debate is welcome, I’m not sure how much value there is in disputing the term web 3.0, just like there was in disputing web 2.0. I agree it sounds a little tired, as I mentioned in my post, but I think there is value in trying to federate a collective web agenda around a term that has the merit of being integrative and breaking technological silos, to try and reassemble them around consumer needs.
I am aware there is at least a perceived difference of perspective and culture between the technology and business communities on this, and in fact trashing the terms Web x.0 has become a unifying force in some corners of the tech community (or perhaps more than “corners”, I don’t really know). But again, I think that blanket terms like web 3.0 are good at taking us beyond the technologies and help us reflect on what it all means for the user. It lets us gather at the web 3.0 conference which also helps break silos and incorporate new elements into the fabric of the semantic web.
Asking us to drop the term in favor of more “precise” definitions, with “precise” often defined as “narrower or more technical” feels to me a little aristocratic. So, while not being in love with the web 3.0 expression - I agree we could try and improve on it for the next version - I do see value in it and understand why RWW embraced it. It’s out there and we talk about it, so as tech commenters it’s normal that they tackle it.
