I feel bad for Europe. They are pining for a world that no longer exists and lack the power (and, more importantly, the will) to do anything about it.

I can imagine an alternate history in which Tim Berners-Lee founds an internet giant in Europe that dominates the 21st century. Imagine a European Google with a search monopoly, a smartphone (from Nokia), and a social network (Xing? Mastodon?). But of course, Sir Timothy never wanted that.

Alas, we're on a different timeline. I wish I were a young man so I could live to see how it all turns out.