Reviving Internet Content Regulation: A Return to the Future
Does the internet need a return to its roots, particularly in terms of content regulation? The way we've structured the internet today is vastly different from the envisioned future—a future that could have been built on the solid foundation of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) and other influential technologies.
What Would Going Back to the Future Mean?
Imagine an internet that was not just a collection of HTML pages and XML-based content but a robust architecture based on SGML. This would have created a more stable and powerful framework for information management, especially in sectors like scientific research and documentation. The internet could have become a universal repository for scholarly works and cultural preservation, echoing the vision of the ancient Library of Alexandria.
Lost Opportunities with SGML
Back in the 1990s, SoftQuad, a company founded by Yuri Rubinsky, produced an SGML web browser and Netscape plugin called Panorama. Sadly, Rubinsky passed away unexpectedly in 1996 at a young age. In Sweden, Soren AG developed SplitVision, an industrial-strength SGML web browser designed for complex documentation tasks, including jumbo jet manuals. It's possible that these efforts continued, but they never had the widespread impact that HTML and its derivatives did.
The Evolution of the Internet
Today, the internet is dominated by social media platforms and user-generated content. While there is plenty of valuable information available, the internet has largely become a platform for quick, informal exchanges rather than a comprehensive repository for serious scholarly and cultural works. Platforms like Twitter and TikTok are dominated by short-form content and influencer culture, leading to a sense of 'bird-brain' chatter and trivialization.
Current State of Internet Content
The internet today is filled with commercial and often shallow content. While there is a lot of valuable information, it is often overshadowed by more engaging, yet less substantive, content. For example, critical lectures on the Ukraine invasion by Prof. John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago can be found on YouTube, but they are often drowned out by more sensational content.
The Need for Limited Regulation
When it comes to content regulation on the internet, it's essential that any measures taken are based on existing laws. Unilateral decisions by unelected censors, guided by personal biases, can be more damaging than helpful. Recent controversies around platform regulation, particularly Twitter, highlight the risks of such approaches.
Protection of Free Speech
Free speech is particularly crucial when it challenges the dominant narrative or opinions of the majority. Content regulation should not be used to silence dissent or obscure truth. Instead, it should ensure that a diversity of voices and perspectives can be heard.
Conclusion
A return to the principles that could have defined the internet, focusing on robust and enduring technologies like SGML, could potentially lead to a more valued and reliable digital landscape. By adhering to existing legal frameworks and protecting free speech, we can ensure that the internet evolves in a way that benefits everyone.