互联网30岁了 发明者望通过改革使其变得更好

As Web Turns 30, Creator Calls for Big Changes to Make it Better

The man credited with inventing the World Wide Web 30 years ago is calling for major changes to make it better for humanity.

Tim Berners-Lee spoke¹ about the current state of the Web during a 30th anniversary event Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland. He wrote the first proposal on creating a new system for organizing information. He sent that proposal to a supervisor² on March 12, 1989.

The anniversary event was held at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. This is the research center where Berners-Lee was working as a computer engineer when he developed his ideas for the World Wide Web.

His proposal sought to create a way for computers across the world to communicate with each other.

The British computer scientist, now 63, had the idea for the hypertext transfer protocol³ - the “http” in front of each website address. The “http” system enabled the sending and receiving of written information and small images through a software program that became the first web browser⁴. This browser prepared the way for internet availability for large numbers of people through home computers.

The CERN anniversary event celebrated⁵ how the creation of the World Wide Web launched a technological⁶ revolution that improved life in many ways. It forever changed the way people get information, share ideas, buy goods and do work.

But Berners-Lee told the event that many people – including himself – believe the web has fallen short in many areas and created new, serious problems.

In an open letter published Tuesday, Berners-Lee noted⁷ that 30 years after its invention, the web is used by half the world’s population.

Berners-Lee said the web had clearly created great opportunities for humanity to progress and made life easier for millions of people. It also has given groups traditionally not heard a new voice in society. However, he added that the web had also provided new ways for “scammers” to carry out crimes and “given a voice to those who spread hatred⁸.”

“Against the backdrop of news stories about how the web is misused⁹, it’s understandable that many people feel afraid and unsure if the web is really a force for good,” he wrote.

Berners-Lee told reporters that some political events in recent years also led many people to distrust the web. “They are all stepping back … realizing that this web thing that they thought was cool is actually not necessarily serving humanity very well,” he said.

Berners-Lee created a group called the World Wide Web Foundation. It seeks help from governments, companies and citizens to become more involved in shaping the web to do more good for humanity. His actual plan is called the “Contract for the Web.”

Under this contract, governments are called on to take steps to make sure all citizens can connect to the internet and that individual privacy is respected. Businesses are asked to keep internet prices low so many people can use the web. In addition, companies should respect privacy and develop technologies that aim to put people - and the “public good” - first.

The plan also calls on citizens to create materials for the web and cooperate with others to make sure there is rich, quality information for everyone. In addition, citizens should seek to “build strong communities that respect civil discourse¹⁰ and human dignity.”

The path to make the internet better is the responsibility of everyone who uses it, Berners-Lee said. Making big changes will not be easy, but will be very well worth it in the end, he added.

“If we give up on building a better web now, then the web will not have failed us. We will have failed the web,” he said.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

address – n. directions to an person, object or organization

software – n. programs used to make computers perform different operations

browser – n. computer program that permits the user to see pages on the internet

opportunity – n. a good possibility or chance for progress

scammer – n. someone who makes money by using illegal methods or tricking people

contract – n. legal document that makes an agreement between parties official

discourse – n. spoken or written discussion

dignity – n. the quality of being worthy of honor or respect

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 supervisor   

n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师

参考例句：

• Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
• He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。

3 protocol   

n.议定书，草约，会谈记录，外交礼节

参考例句：

• We must observe the correct protocol.我们必须遵守应有的礼仪。
• The statesmen signed a protocol.那些政治家签了议定书。

4 browser   

n.浏览者

参考例句：

• View edits in a web browser.在浏览器中看编辑的效果。
• I think my browser has a list of shareware links.我想在浏览器中会有一系列的共享软件链接。

5 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

6 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 hatred   

n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨

参考例句：

• He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
• The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。

9 misused   

v.使用…不当( misuse的过去式和过去分词 )；把…派作不正当的用途；虐待；滥用

参考例句：

• He misused his dog shamefully. 他可耻地虐待自己的狗。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He had grossly misused his power. 他严重滥用职权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 discourse   

n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述

参考例句：

• We'll discourse on the subject tonight.我们今晚要谈论这个问题。
• He fell into discourse with the customers who were drinking at the counter.他和站在柜台旁的酒客谈了起来。