Tim Berners-Lee invented the web [World Wide Web] – but never asked for money for it. His unusual childhood may explain why …
From: BBC
Translation: Telegrafi.com
“It was really important that the web was free for everyone,” Tim says of his invention.
He convinced his employer, CERN — the European research center based in Switzerland — to never charge for using the web. That means Tim is neither as famous nor nearly as rich as his contemporaries, like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, who, oddly enough, were all born in the same year: 1955.
In fact, “being famous must be a huge headache,” says Timi.
So what inspired him to create his invention – and never desire either fame or money?
Part of the answer can be found in the way he was raised.
His mother and father met while working on building the first commercial computer in the United Kingdom, Ferranti Mark 1, and raised their children to understand logic and problem-solving. Tim’s father even built a home computer model that ran on water currents.
“He did it because that way you could see that the computer is just logic. It’s just – if this comes out, then that comes out,” says Timi.
His parents gave him the freedom to experiment. And family camping vacations gave him a strong sense of self-sufficiency. Tim’s mother went to church and was a guiding force in the family.
“[They were] rational, but yes, one was quite religious, and also very scientific. And, they were very creative and imaginative,” says Timi when recalling his parents.
Tim was a shy boy.
“Growing up, I never had a boyfriend in high school. I didn’t go to parties or dances. So, I think the energy went into math, physics, and electronics.”
When he started working at CERN, the only way to learn what his colleagues were up to was to have coffee with them. That’s when he realized that a way was needed for the different computer systems to communicate with each other.
It was a huge leap of imagination on his part.
“The idea that you could click and go anywhere – anywhere – in the world … people just couldn’t imagine it.”
When did it launch? World Wide Webin 1990, no one knew what a success he would become. Inspired by the values of his parents, Tim was determined to be free – and a force for good.
But in recent years he has begun to worry about how algorithms reward people who stay on platforms – even if it means making them angry.
“If it’s trained to polarize people, then it’s not neutral technology. It’s technology that’s making the world a worse place,” he says.
He is now working on what he calls “pro-human” technology, where people have control over their data and profit is not the ultimate goal.
The world that Tim created has changed beyond even his imagination. But there are things missing from the old world – like chance meetings for coffee.
“The fact that … if you wanted to meet someone, you had to go to a friend’s house to meet them.”
There may be fewer casual encounters, but Tim appreciates the opportunity to stroll through London’s parks without being recognized. He may not be a billionaire – but that’s just how he likes it.
PS You can listen to the BBC podcast with the web explorer: HERE!
/Telegraph/
