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Explore the cultural and economic history of web browsers through a historical materialist lens in this conference talk that traces the evolution from early browsers developed under quasi-communist conditions to their commercial annexation. Discover how browsers emerged from cultural negotiations dominated by economic competition and became machines that replaced human labor while enabling permanent information seeking. Learn about the legendary browser wars between Navigator, Explorer, and other competitors, examining the colonialist aspects of browser conquest and market domination. Understand how browsers have become influential forces shaping human knowledge and society, concluding with a "pop-capitalist" analysis of Firefox's struggle against Chromium dominance and whether projects like Ladybird offer hope for the future. Gain insights into how browsers are not merely technical tools but cultural artifacts that reflect broader economic and social power structures in the digital age.
