I was thinking about a related issue yesterday: In 100 years, which free web services, where I can post content, will still be around, with high probability?
Wikipedia is one, but most of my edits will probably be buried by then. My Wikimedia user profile page will still be up, maybe.
Maybe the Internet Archive (archive.org).
Maybe the arXiv (arxiv.org), though it may be renamed or subsumed by then.
What else?
Maybe public libraries could offer some kind of digital archival service for people in the area they serve?
I'm intrigued at your speculation that Wikipedia will likely still be around in 100 years. Clearly the internet phenomenon is important, becoming more important every day, yet still changing so fast that it's still in its infancy relatively speaking. Will it mature into something much more stable ? Is it like the automobile industry in 1920 or so, and Wikipedia, Google and Facebook are something like GM, Ford and Chrysler ? Maybe. On the other hand perhaps the rate of change is so great that its leading to something completely unrecognisable in 100 years, which none of today's players will feature in.
perhaps the rate of change is so great that its leading to something completely unrecognisable in 100 years
That seems to be the most likely scenario.
Proof: Hop into your time-machine and try to explain the internet to someone from 100 years ago.
Remember, the first computer (Z1) was invented only 76 years ago. The first commercial TV-sets became available 92 years ago. Our technology is evolving at a mind-bending pace.
I wouldn't be surprised if Star Trek style voice input was the norm by the time I bite the dust. I wonder if my grand-kids will still use keyboards or consider them a relic...
You need to work on your proofs. Counterexample: hop in your time machine, go back to 1550, kidnap someone, take them back to 1450, and have them explain the printing press. Easy peasy.
Second counterexample: Edison made his first big move redesigning stock tickers. I'm pretty sure Edison could grok the Internet.
Wikipedia is one, but most of my edits will probably be buried by then. My Wikimedia user profile page will still be up, maybe.
Maybe the Internet Archive (archive.org).
Maybe the arXiv (arxiv.org), though it may be renamed or subsumed by then.
What else?
Maybe public libraries could offer some kind of digital archival service for people in the area they serve?