Is Web 3.0 Dead? | a16z Chris Dixon
Dixon argues that the internet has deviated from its original promise as a decentralized, democratic network and he proposes blockchain as a solution to reclaim this lost potential, ushering in a new era of the internet that empowers users and creators rather than centralized entities.
In this video Chris Dixon discusses the key concepts from his latest book, ‘Read Write Own,’ which explores the future of the internet built on blockchain technology.
Chris Dixon is a prominent figure in the venture capital and cryptocurrency industries.
He is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the most influential venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Dixon joined a16z in 2013 and has since become a key leader within the organization.
In 2018, Dixon founded and began leading a16z crypto, a dedicated division of the firm focused on investing in web3 and blockchain technologies. Under his leadership, a16z crypto has grown significantly, now managing over $7 billion in committed capital across four dedicated funds.
Read Write Own
Chris Dixon’s latest book, Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet, published on January 30, 2024, presents a vision for the future of the internet powered by blockchain technology.
Dixon argues that the internet has deviated from its original promise as a decentralized, democratic network. He contends that it has become dominated by a handful of large corporations—such as Apple, Google, and Facebook—stifling creativity and entrepreneurship. In response, Read Write Own proposes blockchain as a solution to reclaim this lost potential, ushering in a new era of the internet that empowers users and creators rather than centralized entities.
The book structures the internet’s evolution into three distinct phases. The “read” era, exemplified by early networks, democratized access to information. The “read-write” era, driven by corporate platforms like social media, expanded this to publishing.
Now, Dixon asserts, we are entering the “read-write-own” era—often referred to as web3—where blockchain networks enable users to not only consume and create content but also own and govern digital assets and systems. This shift, he argues, redistributes power and economic benefits from corporations to communities.
Dixon emphasizes blockchain’s unique capabilities, such as its ability to encode strong, unchangeable commitments into systems (e.g., no fees or fair governance), which he contrasts with the mutable promises of traditional tech companies.
He introduces the concept of “tokens” as a digital primitive that incentivizes participation and fosters ownership, drawing parallels to successful models like Helium, where users earn tokens for providing wireless connectivity. He also distinguishes blockchain’s potential for innovation (“the computer”) from its speculative excesses (“the casino”), aiming to separate the technology’s promise from cryptocurrency hype.
The book serves as both a historical analysis and a forward-looking playbook. It critiques the consolidation of power in corporate networks, explores blockchain’s technical and economic advantages—like composability and decentralization—and highlights practical applications, such as decentralized social networks, gaming, and music platforms. Dixon advocates for a balanced approach to regulation that protects consumers while encouraging startup innovation, positioning blockchain as a counterweight to centralizing technologies like AI.
Written with clarity and drawing on Dixon’s 25-year career in software and venture capital, Read Write Own targets a broad audience—internet users, entrepreneurs, and business leaders—offering an optimistic yet practical roadmap for a more equitable digital future.
While praised for its vision and accessibility, some critics argue it lacks detailed technical specificity or overstates blockchain’s current feasibility. Nonetheless, it stands as a significant contribution to the discourse on web3 and the internet’s next chapter. The paperback edition, released in February 2025 in the US and UK, reflects ongoing refinements in blockchain infrastructure and growing political support for the technology.
