I think of the internet the same way I think about plumbing.

Manufacturers of plumbing supplies tried to monopolize kitchens and bathrooms by making sure their parts, fixtures, pipes, fittings, screws, bolts etc. were the only ones that worked with their sinks, facets and toilets. Companies that manufactured screws tried the same thing.

Luckily, the government stepped in and standardized basic parts. Suddenly, Joe’s pipes fit Jill’s toilet, Joan’s toilet seat fit Paul’s toilet, and Peter’s washers fit Mary’s faucets. Everyone loved John’s new toilet, but they preferred Mary’s faucet. Thanks to standardization, people could have both.

The results were astounding. Manufacturers could enter a market with one great product and begin to grow their companies. And grow they did, by leaps and bounds.

Anyways, that may be an old-fashioned understanding, but it is mine.