Quick Look • Barlow penned his bold and controversial take on the future of the Internet 30 years ago. • Many of Barlow's predictions about the capabilities of the Internet to remain free have not panned out and unforseen threats have cropped up. • But, it's hard not to feel his central thesis can still be achieved—though perhaps, only if you chose it.

Today marks 30 years since John Perry Barlow—co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation—opened his laptop at the 1996 Economic World Forum in Davos and penned an unforgiving declaration of independence for the Internet.

Now, three decades later, as the Internet has come to dominate our lives and is in a crucial period of transition, it's a good time to reflect on Barlow's early vision of the Internet and how it might guide the Internet's future.

There are, no doubt, many parts of his declaration that simply haven't come true, but I can't help thinking that the spirit of Barlow's message can be achieved—at least for those who might be willing to seize it.

A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace by John Perry Barlow, February 8, 1996