On a scale from zero to five

Let's rate a modern software platform, such as Java or .Net, on how it solves the five paradoxes of the Web. Java and .Net are similar enough so it doesn't make sense to compare them against each other. For a benchmark, consider a modern gaming platform: a MMORPG such as EverQuest or World of Warcraft.

The modern software platform doesn't address at all the Compensation paradox, Identity paradox or Responsibility paradox: so the maximum score it can get is two. On the Compatibility paradox, it scores around 0.7: I will argue later that a perfect score requires an open source primary implementation. On the Boundary paradox, the score is at most 0.7 as well: the boundaries between VMs are still apparent, as boundary-aware abstraction such as threads and sockets are part of the core API.

MMORPGs addresses more of the Web's problems. 0.7 on the Compensation paradox: a viable economy is present, but there is just one bank. 0.2 on the Identity paradox: at least it knows your nickname. 0.7 on the Compatibility paradox: single closed-source implementation. Zero on the Boundary paradox. And 0.5 on the Responsibility paradox, since there is a central but active authority.

Final rating is: modern software platform—1.4, modern gaming platform—2.1. To build a successor to the Web, don't start with .Net: instead, take World of Warcraft and make it suitable for general purpose use.