From Selfies to the Metaverse: The Internet’s Journey to Web3
Picture this: it’s the year 2098. A university class is happening not in a lecture hall, but in the metaverse. A professor is standing in front of their students, giving a history lesson on how the internet evolved.
The story is satirical, filled with futuristic humor. Students pray to Mark Zuckerberg, President Kardashian, and Pete Davidson. Men have apparently been canceled, leaving a classroom full of women. And as bizarre as it sounds, this isn’t just a joke, it's a commentary on how far we’ve come, and how technology has reshaped society in ways we could have never predicted.
The professor’s lesson highlights three distinct eras of the internet: Web 1, Web 2, and Web 3. Along the way, they point out milestones like autonomous flying taxis in 2026, colonizing Mars in 2048, and finally the ability to unsend text messages in 2063. Each moment is a reminder of the dizzying pace of innovation.
Gender and Social Dynamics in the Future
In the 2098 classroom, the professor casually mentions that all the men got canceled, leaving only women in the room. It’s satire, of course but it also hints at evolving gender roles and shifting power structures. Whether seen as a playful exaggeration or a critique of accountability culture, it reminds us how cultural narratives can change, polarize, and redefine society over time.
Technological Milestones That Defined Eras
Flying taxis in 2026, Mars colonization in 2048, and even the ability to unsend texts in 2063 each milestone says something about us. They mark our drive for mobility, our ambition to explore beyond Earth, and our need for control in the digital world. These moments aren’t random; they’re markers of progress, showing how fast technology moves and how we adapt along the way.
The Cringy Selfie Era (2010-2020)
The professor describes the decade between 2010 and 2020 as a dark, embarrassing period. It was the era of the selfie. Our culture was dominated by narcissism, superficiality, and the endless chase for likes. Social media platforms thrived, not by serving us, but by monetizing our data, attention, and identity.
This cringe era marked the height of Web 2, a time when the internet was highly interactive, but also centralized and controlled by corporations. While it gave us new ways to connect, it also came at the cost of privacy and autonomy.
If you’re curious about how platforms like TikTok and the metaverse shaped this shift in digital engagement, I explored it more in this blog.
Web 1: The Beginning of Openness
To understand how we got there, you have to go back to Web 1. This was the internet of the 1990s to the early 2000s decentralized, open-source, and full of experimentation. Anyone could build, share, and innovate without gatekeepers.
It was limited in interactivity, but it carried a spirit of freedom. Web 1 laid the foundation for the digital world as a public resource.
Web 2: Centralization and Monetization
Then came Web 2. From 2005 onward, the internet exploded with interactivity and social connectivity. We didn’t just consume information anymore, we created it. Social media platforms, video sharing, and online communities changed the way we lived.
But that freedom came with strings attached. Big tech corporations realized the value of our attention and turned it into profit. Our likes, comments, and clicks became commodities. We gained convenience, but we lost control.
Web 3: A Renaissance of Ownership
Now, we’re stepping into Web 3, a new era built on decentralization, ownership, and transparency. Powered by blockchain and token economies, Web 3 flips the script: the internet belongs to users and builders, not just corporations.
This isn’t just about technology. It’s about culture. Web 3 represents a 21st-century renaissance, a return to the openness of Web 1, but supercharged with interactivity and community governance. Instead of being products inside someone else’s ecosystem, we get to be co-owners of the internet’s future.
Final Thoughts
That satirical classroom in 2098 isn’t just a futuristic joke about flying taxis or unsending texts. It’s a reflection of where we’ve been and where we’re headed.
Web 1 gave us freedom.
Web 2 gave us connection but at the cost of control.
Web 3 offers us a chance to reclaim ownership, build openly, and shape culture together.
The internet has always been more than technology. It’s a mirror of our values, our culture, and our ambitions. And today, as we enter Web 3, we’re standing at the edge of another transformation, one that could define an entire generation.
The question is: will we repeat the mistakes of Web 2, or embrace this new renaissance?
Frequently Asked Questions
1 - What is the future of the internet?
The future of the internet is moving toward Web 3, where users will own their data, digital assets, and online identities. It will be decentralized, transparent, and built on blockchain, creating a fairer, more open digital world driven by communities, not corporations.
2 - What is the metaverse?
The metaverse is a virtual world where people can work, play, and connect using digital avatars. Think of it as the next step after social media, an immersive internet experience blending virtual reality, augmented reality, and real-life interactions in one shared space.
3 - How will Web 3 impact daily life?
Web 3 will give people more control over their digital lives. From owning digital assets like NFTs, to using decentralized apps, it means fewer middlemen and more transparency. It will reshape industries like finance, gaming, and art, while creating new job opportunities.
4 - Why is decentralization important?
Decentralization reduces the control of big corporations over the internet. Instead, power and ownership are shared among users. This makes systems more transparent, secure, and democratic, ensuring people have more freedom and fairness in how they use digital platforms.
5 - Will AI change the way we use the internet?
Yes, AI is already transforming search, personalization, and content creation. In the future, it will make online experiences smarter and more interactive, automating routine tasks while also raising important questions about ethics, jobs, and digital trust.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.