We need the global web for political, social and moral reasons. Nothing less will do when the problems are global. Governments, parties, nations and trading alliances cannot even begin to solve them independently and regardless of each other. We are forced to establish even more diverse, massive and flexible connections in an attempt to avert some of the catastrophies that lie in wait for us. We have no idea how the global economy will survive its present crisis.
Wishes can be fruitless and frustrating, but hope springs eternal.
Our own will, not even the most effective technical invention, decides the future. Indeed the global web can increase the complexity of our problems - the example of copyright legislation already shows that. We know too that the web spreads disinformation, and offers channels for all kinds of criminal activity. But it does also offer possibilities for citizen activities on a global scale, for debate transcending political and ethnic divides. In my view, this interaction is not illusory.