1. Definition
The web is a complex system of interconnected elements. Specifically, the World Wide Web is an information system where documents and other web resources are identified by Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and are accessible via the internet. (Source: Wikipedia)
2. Context of the Internet
While often used interchangeably with “internet,” the Web is actually a service that runs on top of the internet. It is the collection of pages you visit via a browser. Whether you are accessing a private Portal or browsing through Default search results, you are navigating a vast, invisible mesh of data that connects billions of people.
3. Environment & World Peace
- Environment: The Web allows for the dematerialization of goods (e-books instead of paper, streaming instead of plastic discs), reducing the physical footprint of human consumption. However, the data centers required to host it must transition to renewable energy to remain sustainable.
- World Peace: The Web acts as a bridge between cultures. By allowing a person in one country to witness the daily life of someone in another, it fosters empathy and breaks down the “othering” that often fuels war and xenophobia.