A Small Spark Can Ignite a Prairie Fire
In the information age, technology has not only transformed our way of life but has also provided new tools for social movements. When traditional media and social platforms become targets of censorship, Web3 technology is quietly emerging, offering new hope and possibilities for those who yearn for freedom of speech and social justice. The advent of blockchain technology ensures that the truth is permanently recorded and cannot be erased, allowing ordinary people to engage in resistance in unprecedented ways and ultimately change the world.
A thought-provoking example occurred during China’s #MeToo movement. When online platforms such as WeChat and Weibo swiftly deleted posts exposing Peking University’s cover-up of a sexual assault case, a public letter written by student Yue Xin faced the same fate. The government’s censorship system attempted to erase this letter, which revealed the campus scandal. However, blockchain technology became the last stronghold for these suppressed voices. Users of the Ethereum blockchain embedded Yue Xin’s letter into a transaction with zero monetary value, ensuring that the letter would exist permanently on the blockchain, accessible to anyone who browses the public ledger. This event holds historical significance, reminding us that the immutability of blockchain provides an ultimate tool to circumvent censorship.
Although, at the time, this technology had limitations in terms of widespread information dissemination, its potential is undeniable. The phrase “No 404 errors on the blockchain” aptly illustrates how Web3 technology grants suppressed voices a permanent record. This is not just a technological advancement—it is a shift in power, demonstrating that even the smallest spark can ignite a fire capable of changing the world.
Through such technology, social movements can transcend national borders and bypass censorship systems, evolving into an unstoppable global wave. Whether for resistance, human rights protection, or the fight against injustice, Web3’s decentralisation and immutability provide us with new tools and methods to drive social progress.
Although these technologies may seem distant, their influence is subtly permeating our daily lives. They symbolise every courageous voice and every unyielding soul that refuses to bow to oppression. In these challenging times, Web3 technology is like a small spark quietly spreading into a blazing fire, inspiring more people to believe that we can harness the power of technology to change the world.
A Comparison of Web1, Web2, and Web3
Throughout the development of the internet, Web1 was its earliest form, primarily characterised by “reading”. During this period, users could only passively browse content on web pages, with the internet serving a relatively simple function—mainly for information retrieval. This phase lasted roughly from the early 1990s to the early 2000s. Typical Web1 applications included early websites and personal homepages, most of which were static and did not support user interaction.
With technological advancements, the internet entered the Web2 era, defined by “writing”—meaning that users were no longer just passive consumers but could also create, edit, comment on, and share content. The rise of Web2 led to the emergence of highly interactive platforms such as social media, blogs, and forums, transforming the internet from a mere information dissemination tool into a global interactive platform. From the early 2000s to the early 2010s, Web2 was exemplified by platforms likeFacebook, Twitter, and YouTube, which allowed users to create and share content, significantly reshaping how information was distributed.
At present, we are witnessing the emergence of Web3. Unlike its predecessors, Web3 emphasises “ownership”, meaning that users are not just participants in the internet but also owners of digital assets. At its core, Web3 is built on decentralisation, ensuring that data is no longer controlled by a single central authority but is collectively maintained by all network participants. This shift is driven by blockchain technology, and Web3’s applications extend beyond finance to include decentralised applications (dApps), digital identity verification, and NFTs. The ultimate goal of Web3 is to create a more transparent and equitable internet, where users truly own their data and digital assets.
Social Mobilisation and Challenges in the Internet Era
Throughout the development of Web1 and Web2, their close connection with social movements has been particularly noteworthy. In the Web2 era, the explosion of social media enabled citizens to mobilise and collaborate in unprecedented ways, giving rise to globally influential protest movements such as the Arab Spring, the Umbrella Movement, and Occupy Wall Street. These movements benefited from the openness of the internet and the rapid dissemination capabilities of social media, allowing users to share information, organise events, and attract global attention in a short period. However, Web2 also revealed certain limitations when it came to mass mobilisation.
For instance, as governments tightened their control over digital spaces, information censorship and data removal became commonplace. In the second half of 2022, the Hong Kong government submitted 183 content removal requests to Google, particularly concerning content related to the National Security Law. At the same time, the ban on the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” sparked concerns over freedom of speech, with some even fearing that Google might withdraw from the Hong Kong market as a result. These examples illustrate that, although the Web2 era empowered users to express themselves and organise movements, the centralised nature of platforms means they remain susceptible to government and corporate pressure, restricting the flow of information and the ability to mobilise.
In contrast, Web3 has the potential to address these issues through decentralised technology, offering a more secure and censorship-resistant platform for social movements.
For more insights into Web3’s characteristics and its application in social movements, refer to our publication: “Decentralized Archiving: A Beginner’s Guide to Web3 Preservation”!
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