Getting Started with Web3 and the Blockchain

A New Era and New Tech Stack

Welcome to Web3.

Web3 is a broad term that covers both an era and a stack of technologies.

As MetaMask describes it: "Web3 is an umbrella term for the vision of a better internet; an internet with an added identity, money, and social layer. An internet built upon open protocols that value transparency and innovation. An internet that siphons power away from big corporations, and instead places you at the helm of your data."

The Web3 Era You can think of the Web3 era as the next stage of creation on the Internet.

This era is built on the ability to trust over the internet - often called "trustless coordination." The ability to work with others, without knowing them and without a trusted intermediary, is unlocking a new era of creation and collaboration.

Visually, you can see the difference as you scroll the web:

The Three C's of Web3

The web3 era is typified by three guiding principles:

• Control
• Composability
• de(centralization)

Control

Control - or ownership - is a key concept in web3. As MetaMask notes: "In Web2 (mainstream internet today), if you want to move to a new platform, you can’t bring your history with you in a way that retains its legitimacy.

You have to start all over since the platform owns your data and profits from it. Whereas with Web3, you can choose to take your data and money to another platform whenever you want as you aren’t anchored down. The database and platform become the equivalent of a global utility, accessible and open to anyone for any purpose."

This clip from Naval Ravikant explains the thinking of control in web3:

Composability

Composability is the ability to take something that others have built and reuse, update, remix, and create. Much like open-source content, the hope of web3 is to enable collaboration to build faster and better.

deCentralization

Web3 aims to decentralize data. As opposed to a central identity controlling information - such as a bank or a social media platform - web3 enables individuals to collaborate and trust each other directly.

This clip talks about composability and decentralization:

Web3 Simulation

Now let's see web3 in action.

This simulation from MetaMask gives a simulation of what it is like to login to a website using web1 technology, web2 technology, and web3 technology.

Make sure to read the text on the side to remind yourself what is happening as you login with each model.

Next Up: Technical Intro to Web3

Now you've learned some of the high-level concepts. Let's get into the details in our next lesson.