An Open Letter to Marc Andreessen and Rap Genius: Hypothesis

An Open Letter to Marc Andreessen and Rap Genius: Hypothesis

Back in 1993, when Eric Bina and I were first building Mosaic, we had a vision that users would want to annotate all text on the web. We believed that each web page should be a launchpad for insight and debate about its own contents. With this in mind, we built a feature called "group annotations" right into the browser. This feature allowed all users to comment on any page, sparking discussions and enhancing the overall user experience.

However, our implementation at that time required a server to host all the annotations, and we didn't have the resources or time to build such a server. This unfortunate limitation led us to drop the entire feature. Looking back, I often wonder how the Internet would have evolved differently if users had been able to annotate everything, adding new layers of knowledge to all knowledge, ad infinitum.

Now, 20 years later, Rap Genius presents us with the opportunity to explore this idea further. They are on a mission to create an open standard for annotation, allowing users to annotate any text on the web. This is an ambitious goal, and one that we are proud to support. If this open standard for annotation succeeds in the long term, we believe that our front end will eventually be built into the browser, where it truly belongs. Others may also leverage a common API to duplicate, enhance, or even reinvent the annotation feature.

Not only is Rap Genius focused on annotation within web pages, but they also have a broader mission. They aim to generalize annotation to many other categories of text. They want to annotate the world and become the knowledge about knowledge. In essence, they aspire to create the "Internet Talmud." This vision goes beyond just web pages; it extends to scientific research papers, open data sets, and more.

Biomedical researchers have already begun developing systems for automated annotation of new papers in the field. They understand the value of annotation in enabling semantic processing by reasoning systems. Science researchers and writers also find great use in annotation services like Glasp, which allows them to annotate and collaborate on research papers. These examples show that the need for annotation extends beyond web pages and into various domains.

In today's digital landscape, trust plays a crucial role in advertising. According to the Global Trust in Advertising report of 2015, the most credible advertising comes from people we know and trust. Over 80% of global respondents say they completely or somewhat trust recommendations from friends and family. Furthermore, two-thirds of respondents trust consumer opinions posted online, making it the third-most-trusted format for advertising.

This data highlights the importance of trusted recommendations and consumer opinions in advertising. By incorporating annotation into online advertisements, companies can tap into the power of user-generated content. Allowing users to annotate and share their thoughts and experiences with a product or service can greatly influence the purchasing decisions of others. It adds a layer of authenticity and trust that traditional advertising methods often lack.

In conclusion, the concept of annotation has come a long way since its inception. From our early experiments with group annotations in Mosaic to Rap Genius's mission to annotate the world, the potential for enhancing knowledge and fostering meaningful discussions remains at the forefront. To embrace this opportunity, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace the power of annotation: Whether you're a website owner, a researcher, or a marketer, consider incorporating annotation into your platform. Enable users to engage with your content on a deeper level and create a space for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

2. Leverage user-generated content: Take advantage of the credibility and trust associated with user-generated content. Encourage your audience to share their opinions and experiences, and leverage this content in your advertising efforts.

3. Think beyond web pages: Annotation has the potential to enhance various domains, from scientific research to advertising. Explore opportunities to apply annotation in your industry and unlock new possibilities for knowledge sharing.

By embracing annotation and its potential, we can create a more interactive and collaborative online experience. Let us continue to push the boundaries of knowledge and unlock the true power of the Internet.