Why there's no European Google? And why it is a good thing
3 months ago
- #Open Source
- #Common Good
- #European Tech
- Europe lacks tech giants like Google or Facebook but has contributed foundational technologies like the World Wide Web, Linux, and Git.
- European innovations often prioritize the common good over privatization, exemplified by copyleft licenses and open-source projects.
- Key European contributions include the Web (invented at CERN), Linux (by Linus Torvalds), Mastodon (a decentralized social network), and OpenStreetMap.
- European success is measured by collective benefit and long-term impact rather than individual wealth or corporate size.
- The article advocates valuing contributions to the commons over short-term economic growth and celebrates Europe's role in global technological infrastructure.