The Web We Weave

"A nostalgic bid for a return to a more open, more diverse, and less commodified internet.”

“It's fashionable these days to blame the Internet for many of society's woes, but as Jeff Jarvis points out in this fascinating book, the Internet is merely a mirror of everything we are, good and bad, fractious and collegial, angry, sad, and joyful. One of humanity's greatest inventions deserves to be protected and nurtured, so that it can continue to nourish us. I've been engaging in a weekly conversation with Jeff on our podcast for more than 15 years. In that time, we've debated many of the points in this book, and in every case Jeff deep historical expertise and nimble mind have won the day. He is the champion the Internet — and all of its users — deserve.”

“Jarvis reminds us in no uncertain terms that the future of technology and society remains exactly where it always has: in our hands. In this timely, lucid, and hold-nothing-back book, Jarvis offers a wakeup call about what we all can — and must — do as we enter the age of AI.”

"In this incisive and groundbreaking book, Jeff Jarvis boldly resets our conversation about the internet, helping us find our way back to the hopes we once had for it. Backed by deep research, Jarvis defends the internet from its many critics, and he shows why panicked attempts to strictly regulate the net will backfire. Ultimately, Jarvis presents a striking vision for how we can build a web that truly works for everyone. This is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of the internet."

"The Web We Weave looks hard at real life on the Internet, the good and the bad. Jeff Jarvis looks past the PR stunts manufactured by powerful bad actors to focus on actual problems and possible solutions. The book shows how bad legislation and regulation often turns bad situations into worse ones."

“The Web We Weave powerfully challenges our penchant for pessimism, reminding us that the Internet once provided genuine hope and possibility for equity and mutuality. Jeff Jarvis brings our history and current moment into sharp focus to argue that if we can renew our sense of collective obligation - which we have the power to do - we might just be able to reclaim the Internet’s promise.”

“Journalist, teacher, historian, critic, tech blogger, and optimist, Jeff Jarvis offers a richly documented and impassioned case for rejecting the overhyped fears that surround the Internet today. He argues that societal overreaction to disruptive technologies has antecedents through the centuries, from the printing press to electricity, the telegraph, bicycles, and radio. Leaving no one off the hook, Jarvis implores all stakeholders to become stewards of the Internet, to reclaim the good that it was—and still can be—through evidence-based rules and open-sourced offerings centered on humanity. Agree or disagree with his assertions, The Web We Weave challenges us to find real solutions."

"In The Web We Weave, Jarvis convenes an important conversation about what the Internet is and isn’t, and how its true nature informs possible remedies for prevalent ills such as hate speech and misinformation online. Rather than addressing these issues from a place of anxiety fueled by moral panics about technology, and relying on regulations that may hurt the very groups of people that we hope to protect, Jarvis urges us to recognize and reclaim our agency as users to build and foster positive and productive communities online. This is an important book for anyone who is interested in the social implications of internet technologies (including artificial intelligence), the philosophy of technology, freedom of expression, and media history."