The internet or the web?

The internet will remain what it was always supposed to be: the network through which a variety of applications facilitate the exchange of data. It is the 4th utility and should be treated as such. My ISP is no different to my water company.

The web is a different story. Paying for things will depend on how centralised things remain. I doubt many Medium readers mind paying $5 a month for the sheer volume of content but it remains conveniently centralised. As a writer you earn something back but you’re still making content to fill somebody else’s coffers. It has its strengths and weaknesses.

The beauty of the web is you can rent some server space and start your own website away from the centralised corporations. Want a community? Phpbb is your friend. But are people willing to pay you directly for that privilege? Is there any money to be made in content creation outside of centralised entities?