Imlisanen Jamir
In the beginning, browsers were like plant-eating animals. They reached up high to find their food, not down low like the animals that ate grass. They were curious and always looking for something new.
But then, in the 19th century, the word “browsing” took on a new meaning. It referred to people who wandered around, exploring ideas or things without a clear purpose. While some were focused on what they wanted (the “grazers”), browsers were more carefree and casual.
This change was a result of the times. As Europe became more industrialized, shopping arcades became popular. These covered places were perfect for leisurely walks, and they allowed women, in particular, to enjoy public spaces. Browsing became a way to explore without commitment, and it was a favorite pastime of the emerging middle class.
This idea of browsing was influenced by the concept of the “flâneur,” a person who strolled through the city and observed everything around them. It was a way to be both part of the world and yet detached from it.
In the 1800s, department stores also appeared. They offered a mix of public and private spaces, and browsing was encouraged. It was a way to be in contact with culture without necessarily buying anything.
Fast forward to the 1990s, and the term “browsing” got a new twist with the invention of the web browser. The first one was created by Tim Berners-Lee and was called the World Wide Web. It made the internet accessible to everyone, not just experts.
Mosaic, created by Marc Andreessen and Erica Bina, made the internet even more user-friendly with features like inline images. It transformed the internet from a place for tech experts to a public space for everyone.
Netscape Navigator, created by Andreessen, competed with Microsoft's Internet Explorer in the “first browser war.” Though Internet Explorer was eventually found guilty of antitrust violations, it was too late for Netscape. Netscape transformed into Mozilla and Firefox. Google and Apple also joined the browser battle with Chrome and Safari.
Google's Chrome browser stood out for its simplicity and fast updates. It became the face of the internet, marking the second browser war that lasted until 2017.
Tabs, which let you have multiple pages open at once, became popular in the mid-2000s. They reflected the fragmented nature of our attention and the desire to keep options open.
But browsing on the internet is different from browsing in a store. The browser keeps a record of what we do, and it doesn't entirely belong to us. It knows where we've been, what we've searched for, and more. Browsing online always leaves a trace.
In a physical store, the things you don't pay attention to don't change. But online, the internet responds to your habits and shows you different things based on what you've clicked on. Browsing online is never truly idle; it's often connected to commerce.
The internet offers access to a vast world of ideas, people, and goods, but spending time online can feel narrow and suffocating. There's no stable place to return to, and you can easily get lost in the online world.
Browsing online is also more limited than real-life browsing. The browser as a tool influences our choices, directing our attention and anticipating our desires. It's like someone shaking a bunch of leaves in front of your face, making it hard to see anything else.
The digital age has transformed it into something more controlled and directed. While we have access to an incredible amount of information and possibilities online, it can sometimes feel like we're not exploring freely but rather being guided by the tools we use.
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