How Free is The Internet?

The Internet is not an abstract concept, it has a physical infrastructure made up of servers, cables and algorithms that are governed by technical constraints

I embarked on a journey to unravel the intricacies of digital democracy looking at the unseen forces that shape our virtual world. I wanted to understand how the physicality of the internet impacts its openness and freedom. Who influences the internet infrastructure and find out who truly holds the reins?

Episode 1: Our Web, Our Responsibility

The internet's lightning-paced evolution has taken us from scarcity to abundance and now to information overload. In this episode, we explore how analog skills, once the bedrock of success, are no longer sufficient. Winning in the digital age is about shaping information to our advantage and discerning between good, bad, or malicious content.

The digital revolution has ushered in new freedoms and empowerment, but it hasn't come without challenges. Algorithms, omnipresent in our digital lives, make decisions for us—from entertainment choices to dating preferences. The key question emerges: Who controls these algorithms and, in essence, how do they shape our reality?

As we navigate this hyperdigitalized era, the need to defend our freedoms becomes paramount. But what does freedom truly mean in the digital age? Perhaps it's not just about doing whatever we want online; maybe it's about digital democracy—actively participating and shaping, rather than being ruled by unseen forces.

Even professions like chiropractors, seemingly unrelated to the digital sphere, feel the impact of search algorithms on discoverability and growth. The internet's physical evolution—servers, cables, and networks—enables opportunities and underpins the freedom to live and do business as much as software and code.

Looking ahead, we tease the question: Who actually runs the internet? Is it big tech, governments, or a coalition of independent organizations embodying digital democracy? Episode 2 holds the key to unraveling the power dynamics governing the digital realm.

In this episode I speak with Markus Noga CTO of IONOS , Lily Ray Head of Organic Search/ SEO Expert at Amsive Peter Thomassen , DNS security expert Neal McPherson from IONOS & Laura DeNardis, Ph.D. Professor at Georgetown University .

Who Really Governs the Internet? - Episode 2

Ever wondered who truly governs the vast expanse of the internet? I look to uncover the puppeteers behind the scenes and challenge assumptions about centralized control. Have you heard of the Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)? These are two governing bodies you should probably know about as we unravel the complexities of Internet governance. Are they the hidden hand shaping the way we experience the digital realm?

As we peer behind the curtain of online freedom, the episode delves into the challenges of internet throttling, the unique governance landscape of the Great Firewall of China, and the digital savviness divide between Western and Chinese users. What impact does this governance have on our choices and economic opportunities?

We've taken a deep dive into the technical foundations that fuel the internet's engine. Now, let's switch gears and explore what's constructed on this sturdy base - the websites and social media platforms that shape public conversations and our individual realities. But, do content regulations create boundaries in the seemingly boundless online universe? These questions are tied to larger debates over who has the power to regulate online content. Join award winning journalist Nicole Scott as she explores the intricate world of digital democracy, unveiling the secrets of our web and our responsibility.

In this episode we talk to Markus Noga CTO of IONOS, Martin Wezowski Chief Futurist at SAP , Michael "Monty" Widenius founder of MariaDB , Dhruv Dhody of the IETF John Crain CTO of ICANN , Neal McPherson of IONOS , Prem M. Trivedi Director at the Open Technology Institute of America, Arnold Ma, CEO of Qumin

Content Moderation in a Borderless World - Episode 3

We've taken a deep dive into the technical foundations that fuel the internet's engine. Now, let's switch gears and explore what's constructed on this sturdy base - the websites and social media platforms that shape public conversations and our individual realities. But, do content regulations create boundaries in the seemingly boundless online universe? These questions are tied to larger debates over who has the power to regulate online content.

In this episode we talk to Laura DeNardis, Ph.D. Professor at Georgetown University, Prem M. Trivedi Director at the Open Technology Institute of America, Neal McPherson of IONOS, Lily Ray Head of Organic Search/ SEO Expert at Amsive & Thilo Koslowski former CEO Porsche Digital.

Restoring Trust in an Evolving Internet - Episode 4

In the final part of this 4 part series, I delve into groundbreaking concepts like Web5 and discuss the importance of digital literacy. We explore how we can restore trust online and become active digital citizens. In an era home to fake news and cyber-attacks, it's crucial to educate ourselves about concepts like blockchain to ensure we’re not left behind. Digital literacy acts as our guiding light towards an open, free, and trustworthy internet, essential for sustaining our careers and lives.

In this episode we talk to Lily Ray Head of Organic Search/ SEO Expert at Amsive, Thilo Koslowski former CEO Porsche Digital, Prem M. Trivedi Director at the Open Technology Institute of America, Markus Noga CTO of IONOS, Martin Wezowski Chief Futurist at SAP, Angie Jones Web5 expert TBD , Dhruv Dhody of the IETF John Crain CTO of ICANN.

This editorial content was sponsored by IONOS