THIS IS FOR EVERYONE

An idea that spanned the globe.

Berners-Lee describes how he invented the World Wide Web and laments that his creation, exploited by “monopolistic players,” isn’t “in such great shape.” The British computer scientist explains complex technology in accessible language, leaving room for ample self-puffery. Berners-Lee was working at CERN, the celebrated Swiss physics lab, in the 1980s when he sought “to encourage new and unexpected relationships between pieces of information.” A version of the internet already existed, and “by layering hypertext links onto” it, “we could connect” people everywhere, he realized. He was celebrated for persuading CERN to publish his source code instead of patenting it, part of his decades-long effort to make information “accessible and open.” The book’s first third is excellent. Along with his web breakthroughs, Berners-Lee lovingly describes how his mathematician-parents nurtured his creativity. He built a “homebrew” computer in high school and an intercom for his family’s house. The web made Berners-Lee famous—Time magazine dubbed him one of the 20th century’s most influential people—and his book doesn’t skimp on the fruits of his renown. He writes of being name-checked by Bono during a U2 show and lunching with Queen Elizabeth II: “Her Majesty seemed to enjoy my presence.” He won awards, enough that “I was used to giving acceptance speeches.” Quoted at length, Berners-Lee’s wife calls him “open-minded, fair, resourceful and very kind,” an “obviously brilliant” person who has “complete respect for humans and nature.” Canonization awaits, evidently. Today, Berners-Lee works on initiatives to make the internet more humane, to protect users’ privacy, and to urge governments to be more transparent. Artificial intelligence will be “transformative,” and it’s up to citizens to help “define the terms that will govern” the future of technology.

A tech pioneer recalls creating the web—and asks users to help safeguard its future.