Recently, I've been reflecting on a question: why, after discussing so much about Web3, am I still unable to explain clearly to those around me what Web3 and blockchain are in the simplest and most understandable way? This indeed feels like a failure. Where does the problem lie? Through continuous communication and feedback, I seem to have found the answer: it's the lack of conceptual visualization. People only hear some vague terms and do not form a concrete outline of Web3 itself, which is the key reason most people struggle to grasp it.
The explanations of Web3 that we often hear generally fall into the following categories:
-
Web3 is the next generation of the internet, aiming to build a decentralized, user-controlled internet.
-
Web2 is the information internet, while Web3 is the value internet. What does that mean? Web2 is the current internet, which is the digitalization of information, but the control over data and value still lies with centralized platforms. Web3 introduces concepts like digital currency, NFTs, and tokens, assigning ownership to the data we generate and giving it value.
-
Web1 is read-only, Web2 is read-write, and Web3 is read-write-own. What does that mean? The early internet was just a static page, like an online library, where you could only view content without interaction, hence it was read-only. Web2 is the current internet, similar to social platforms where you can post and like, making it read-write. However, your data resides with these platforms, which can delete your content, restrict your account, or even sell your data. Web3 is a decentralized internet that allows you not only to enjoy the convenience of the internet but also to own the data you generate, meaning it is ownable.
After hearing all this, I wonder if everyone has formed a preliminary understanding of Web3? I find it quite difficult. Now, let me explain it in a different way. First, let me ask everyone a question: what is the internet? What comes to mind first? I believe it’s probably not the concept of the internet; it's likely the apps we frequently use, like WeChat, Google, or Weibo. What about Web3? Similarly, we can compare a Web3 application with the applications we currently use, and everyone will understand.
Let’s randomly take two applications for comparison: one is a decentralized application (DApp), and the other is a traditional application (app).
-
Architecture: First, let’s look at its architecture. We say that DApps do not require servers, which, although not entirely accurate, conveys a similar meaning. DApps are decentralized and run on a blockchain network, unlike apps that are centralized and rely on servers and databases.
-
Data Storage: Where data is stored is very important. We often say we need to own our data, and this comparison makes it clear. DApp data is stored on the blockchain or decentralized storage systems, while app data is stored in the cloud or on company servers.
-
Control: The code and protocols of DApps are usually open-source, with the code executing protocols automatically, allowing users to interact directly through DAO community governance. In contrast, apps are completely controlled by companies or developers, who can suspend accounts, delete content, and restrict your usage rights at any time.
-
Login Method: Apps require an account and password to log in, such as WeChat or Google account logins, while DApps use decentralized identity logins, where one wallet can log into most applications on the market. This not only protects your privacy but also allows you to control your own data, and most importantly, it cannot be banned.
-
Fund Management: Apps rely on centralized institutions like banks to manage funds, and transactions depend on them, while DApps manage funds through wallets, allowing users to control their own assets, with transactions typically using digital currencies for payment.
Of course, there are other factors, such as security. App servers can be hacked, and data can be easily tampered with, while DApps rely on blockchain to avoid single points of failure, but they can be vulnerable to smart contract bugs. In terms of efficiency, DApps are limited by blockchain TPS (transactions per second), making their performance relatively weaker, while apps do not face this issue.
To summarize:
- DApps run on the blockchain, while apps run on traditional servers.
- DApps are more transparent, with data on-chain and immutable, while apps rely on centralized companies for maintenance.
- DApps depend on wallets and cryptocurrencies, while apps rely on traditional login and payment methods.
- DApps currently have limited performance and a less smooth experience than apps, but they are more decentralized.
I wonder if these examples enhance your understanding of Web3, but you may still have questions about how it can achieve this. So we need to delve a little deeper into its underlying technology: what is blockchain? I will still explain it through examples.
First, let’s remember a phrase: blockchain is a distributed ledger. Now, imagine there are 100 people in our room, and we are going to play a game called the decentralized accounting game. Among them is an audience member named Zhang San, who acts as the "centralized accountant," representing the centralized systems of the traditional internet. He is responsible for recording all transactions. If we need to transfer money or make a transaction, we can only let him record it, and we can only trust that his records are correct. What problems might arise? If one day this accountant loses the ledger, or alters the records, or suddenly quits, it would lead to the collapse of the entire system.
Now, entering the world of blockchain, we let all 100 people present act as accountants, which are the "nodes" on the blockchain. Each person has a ledger and can synchronize transaction information. Suppose I want to transfer 10 yuan to an audience member named Li Si; I won't just tell the central accountant Zhang San, but will broadcast to everyone: "I am transferring 10 yuan to Li Si!" At this point, everyone hears this transaction information, and each person can record it in their own ledger.
Now, a question arises: who is responsible for writing into the official ledger? This is where a key identity comes into play: the miner. In blockchain, accountants compete to confirm the transaction, and this process is called the consensus mechanism. How do they compete? This varies by case; for example, Bitcoin uses the PoW mechanism, where the first to solve a problem gets the right to record, while Ethereum's PoS mechanism randomly selects the right to record.
Now that the accountant has recorded this information, what if he cheats? I transferred 10 yuan, but he records 100 yuan. So when the accountant confirms the transaction, everyone checks whether this accountant has cheated. If the majority agrees that the transaction is legitimate, then this transaction is written into the ledger, and everyone's ledger will be updated accordingly. This is where the blockchain's characteristic of "immutability" comes into play. If someone wants to falsify the records, everyone must agree.
Another key factor is that this ledger is not just a standalone transaction record; it is connected page by page. Every so often, everyone will package a new batch of transactions into a new "block" and link it to the previous block, forming a "blockchain." Therefore, once written, it cannot be changed.
Simple, right? This is the operational logic of blockchain. Who would have thought that a simple distributed ledger could give rise to a new world? To summarize:
Decentralization: Unlike the traditional internet, which has only one accountant, now everyone is an accountant, no longer relying on a single institution.
Transparency and Trust: All transactions are public, and everyone can verify the authenticity of transactions, eliminating fraud.
Immutability: Once a transaction is written into the blockchain, it cannot be arbitrarily modified, ensuring data security.
Thus, we conclude our explanation of Web3 and blockchain. I wonder if everyone has new insights; I hope this is helpful to you.
Welcome to join the community
Welcome to the community WeChat: BQ221858
Welcome to follow Weibo: @QuarkMing202
Welcome to follow Twitter: @xian202766693