---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Internet works thanks to loose but…"
description: "\"The Internet works thanks to loose but trusted connections among its many constituent parts, with easy entry and exit for new Internet service provider..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/316/jonathan-zittrain-12491_access_the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-t_415163.png"
---

#  The Internet works thanks to loose but trusted connections…

![“The Internet works thanks to loose but trusted connections among its many constituent parts, with easy entry and exit for new Internet service providers or new forms of expanding access.” quote by Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/316/jonathan-zittrain-12491_access_the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-t_415163.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/316/jonathan-zittrain-12491_access_the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-t_415163.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/316/jonathan-zittrain-12491_access_the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-t_415163.png)

> “The Internet works thanks to loose but trusted connections among its many constituent parts, with easy entry and exit for new Internet service providers or new forms of expanding access.”

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The Internet thrives on many loosely linked but reliable participants, allowing new providers easy entry and exit.

**In simple terms:** The web works because many trusted nodes connect loosely, letting new players join freely.

Key Takeaway

Encourage open, trustworthy connections in network design.

Themes

connectivity trust openness competition innovation

Mood

optimistic analytical

Type

technical policy

When to use this quote

- building new ISPs
- expanding broadband
- regulatory policy
- community networks

Key Concepts

network theory decentralization resilience

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we balance openness with security?
- What safeguards ensure trust without stifling entry?

A Different Perspective

May overlook security risks from overly loose trust.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Providers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/providers/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/)

## Related quotes

> [Technologically, the Internet works thanks to loose but trusted connections among its many constituent parts, with easy entry and exit for new ISPs or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/technologically-the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-trusted/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [I'm fighting to do right by our neighbors by expanding access to affordable health care, improving public education, respecting our workers, and creating more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-beshear/i-m-fighting-to-do-right-by-our-neighbors-by-expanding-access-to/)

[Andy Beshear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-beshear/)

> [Expanding access to decent work opportunities is the most effective way to increase labor-market participation, lift people out of poverty, reduce inequality, and drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-ryder/expanding-access-to-decent-work-opportunities-is-the-most-effective/)

[Guy Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-ryder/)

> [Expanding access to affordable, quality child care will make it easier for parents and guardians to engage in work, provide for their families and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-burgum/expanding-access-to-affordable-quality-child-care-will-make-it-easier/)

[Doug Burgum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-burgum/)

> [The TPP supports economic growth and job creation in America while expanding access for American goods and services in the Asia-Pacific region.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-boustany/the-tpp-supports-economic-growth-and-job-creation-in-america-while/)

[Charles Boustany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-boustany/)

> [Expanding access to robotics programs for students has been a significant focus of my administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sununu/expanding-access-to-robotics-programs-for-students-has-been-a/)

[Chris Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sununu/)

> [You have to remember the way the internet works, when you communicate with the server, it's very likely not in your country. It's somewhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/you-have-to-remember-the-way-the-internet-works-when-you-communicate/)

[Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/)

> [The Internet works because a lot of people cooperate to do things together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-postel/the-internet-works-because-a-lot-of-people-cooperate-to-do-things/)

[Jon Postel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-postel/)

> [It would be really great if someone would invent a new Internet with the specific purpose of not making money off of it, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-rundgren/it-would-be-really-great-if-someone-would-invent-a-new-internet-with/)

[Todd Rundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-rundgren/)

> [Social media, and the way the Internet works, you see a lot of funny things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicklas-bendtner/social-media-and-the-way-the-internet-works-you-see-a-lot-of-funny/)

[Nicklas Bendtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicklas-bendtner/)

> [Gold has worked for thousands of years, but now with the Internet, it works even better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/gold-has-worked-for-thousands-of-years-but-now-with-the-internet-it/)

[Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/)

> [Anyone who's an executive at a record label does not understand what the Internet is, how it works, how people use it, how fans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-reznor/anyone-who-s-an-executive-at-a-record-label-does-not-understand-what/)

[Trent Reznor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-reznor/)

> [Food is the new Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimbal-musk/food-is-the-new-internet/)

[Kimbal Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimbal-musk/)

> [Only astrophysicists new about the Internet 20 years ago. Today my cat has a website.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/only-astrophysicists-new-about-the-internet-20-years-ago-today-my-cat/)

[William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/)

> [I think they called me the closest thing to a God of the Internet. But at the end, that article wasn't very complimentary, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-postel/i-think-they-called-me-the-closest-thing-to-a-god-of-the-internet-but/)

[Jon Postel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-postel/)

## More by Jonathan Zittrain

> [The Internet is a collective hallucination: one of the best humanity has ever generated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-internet-is-a-collective-hallucination-one-of-the-best-humanity/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [Instead of using new technologies to preserve for ready discovery material that might in the past never have been stored, or deleting everything as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/instead-of-using-new-technologies-to-preserve-for-ready-discovery/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [How an individual's reputation is protected online is too important and subtle a policy matter to be legislated by a high court, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/how-an-individual-s-reputation-is-protected-online-is-too-important/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [Despite outsiders being invited to write software, the iPhone thus remains tightly tethered to its vendor - the way that the Kindle is controlled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/despite-outsiders-being-invited-to-write-software-the-iphone-thus/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [The Internet's distinct configuration may have made cyberattacks easy to launch, but it has also kindled the flame of freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-internet-s-distinct-configuration-may-have-made-cyberattacks-easy/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [The last refuge of privacy cannot be placed solely in law or technology. It must repose in both, and a thoughtful combination of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-last-refuge-of-privacy-cannot-be-placed-solely-in-law-or/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [Another view is Western companies chartered in societies that believe in this kind of censorship shouldn't be carrying water for societies that do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/another-view-is-western-companies-chartered-in-societies-that-believe/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [I'm interested in harnessing the good will and distributed power of people, including novices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/i-m-interested-in-harnessing-the-good-will-and-distributed-power-of/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [A free Net may depend on some wisely developed and implemented locks and a community ethos that secures the keys to those locks among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/a-free-net-may-depend-on-some-wisely-developed-and-implemented-locks/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [All sorts of factors contribute to what Facebook or Twitter present in a feed, or what Google or Bing show us in search results.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/all-sorts-of-factors-contribute-to-what-facebook-or-twitter-present/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [I think social networking is absolutely here to stay. Now, whether or not the label will Facebook forever, depends in part, I think, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/i-think-social-networking-is-absolutely-here-to-stay-now-whether-or/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [Content zips around the Internet thanks to code - programming code. And code is subject to intellectual property laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/content-zips-around-the-internet-thanks-to-code-programming-code-and/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [Facebook draws from the public and public-interest sphere, a simultaneously bold and modest step towards acknowledging that our new networked technologies deeply affect our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/facebook-draws-from-the-public-and-public-interest-sphere-a/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [There are some conversations that are undeniably improved when the rule going in is that you have to stand behind what you say and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/there-are-some-conversations-that-are-undeniably-improved-when-the/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

> [The Internet's distinct configuration may have facilitated anonymous threats, copyright infringement, and cyberattacks, but it has also kindled the flame of freedom in ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-internet-s-distinct-configuration-may-have-facilitated-anonymous/)

[Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

[Explore all 54 Jonathan Zittrain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/)

## More Access quotes

> [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/)

[Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/)

> [You can disseminate your art, and it's all such easy access now. The upside to it is that more people are creating than ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-clarke/you-can-disseminate-your-art-and-it-s-all-such-easy-access-now-the/)

[Stanley Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-clarke/)

> [It's the same with this idea of a literate public, and also of a democracy in which people have access to and really read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hass/it-s-the-same-with-this-idea-of-a-literate-public-and-also-of-a/)

[Robert Hass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hass/)

> [My hope is that if people have the knowledge, and if they actually see where their food comes from and have access to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/my-hope-is-that-if-people-have-the-knowledge-and-if-they-actually-see/)

[Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/)

> [I don't think it's always a sign of respect for persons (inside or outside of fiction) to pretend to be able to represent, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-lerner/i-don-t-think-it-s-always-a-sign-of-respect-for-persons-inside-or/)

[Ben Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-lerner/)

> [Leslie Stein's comics give readers privileged access to a complete and wholly original world of gently skewed wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/leslie-stein-s-comics-give-readers-privileged-access-to-a-complete/)

[Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/)

> [The best way to fight poverty is to empower people through access to quality education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/the-best-way-to-fight-poverty-is-to-empower-people-through-access-to/)

[John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/)

> [Because the Internet's there, I have access to a lot of the legends, like Fela Kuti. I used to watch a lot of Fela…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-krule/because-the-internet-s-there-i-have-access-to-a-lot-of-the-legends/)

[King Krule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-krule/)

> [There needs to be some regime that is overseeing access to broadband to make sure we have openess; otherwise, there is a risk it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vint-cerf/there-needs-to-be-some-regime-that-is-overseeing-access-to-broadband/)

[Vint Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vint-cerf/)

> [While it's wonderful that investors have access to all the data now available to them, it has become a full-time job to sift through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bartiromo/while-it-s-wonderful-that-investors-have-access-to-all-the-data-now/)

[Maria Bartiromo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bartiromo/)

> [It is truly vital for the United States to assure that it is not attacked with weapons of mass destruction; to prevent wars in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/it-is-truly-vital-for-the-united-states-to-assure-that-it-is-not/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Now that I'm more middle class, I have access to consumer goods. I do enjoy feminine frippery, feminine doo-da, stuff like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-geok-lin-lim/now-that-i-m-more-middle-class-i-have-access-to-consumer-goods-i-do/)

[Shirley Geok-lin Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-geok-lin-lim/)

> [Schools have never been about getting access to information. That's the job of libraries. Schools and universities have nobler missions as gentle gatekeepers. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-nikiforuk/schools-have-never-been-about-getting-access-to-information-that-s/)

Andrew Nikiforuk

> [To pray is to open the door unto Jesus and admit Him into your distress. Your helplessness is the very thing which opens wide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-hallesby/to-pray-is-to-open-the-door-unto-jesus-and-admit-him-into-your/)

[Ole Hallesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-hallesby/)

> [Broadband Internet access shouldn't depend on who you are or where you're from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajit-pai/broadband-internet-access-shouldn-t-depend-on-who-you-are-or-where/)

[Ajit Pai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajit-pai/)

[Browse all 2,178 Access quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The Internet works thanks to loose but trusted connections among its many constituent parts, with easy entry and exit for new Internet service providers or new forms of expanding access.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jonathan Zittrain"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-trusted-connections-among-its/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Access"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-trusted-connections-among-its/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/316/jonathan-zittrain-12491_access_the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-t_415163.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/316/jonathan-zittrain-12491_access_the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-t_415163.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/316/jonathan-zittrain-12491_access_the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-t_415163.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The Internet works thanks to loose but trusted connections among its many constituent parts, with easy entry…” — Jonathan Zittrain",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jonathan Zittrain",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The Internet works thanks to loose...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-trusted-connections-among-its/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/the-internet-works-thanks-to-loose-but-trusted-connections-among-its/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
