WEB 3.0 DATA SPACE FOR JEWISH HERITAGE

Jewish Data Space

Jewish Data Space catalyzes deep digital transformation in Jewish heritage organisations and prepares them for the digital century.

 

The ecosystem is based on a decentralised network of data sharing services (pods), storing heritage content independently of applications, tools and platforms that use it.

 

The data pods are Solid / Linked Data compatible, secure and preserved in the long-term by design. Digital tools and platforms work with data on pods subject to the owner’s consent. These tools come and go, but when they go, it has no impact on the data.

 

This transformation allows heritage organizations and practitioners to shift their focus entirely from data management to enhancing data quality and storytelling.

 

The transition will be done by technology companies, and funded, promoted and orchestrated by authorities and philanthropic bodies.

Architecture

While the Data Space concept is mainly about organizational innovation, the tech supporting it is also crucial. The components required for this ecosystem exist but vary in their technological readiness levels (TRL). As the Data Space is being deployed, these technologies will be further developed and integrated. The architecture of the Data Space consists of several components:

  • Data Pods
    People, organizations and even devices will keep their data on designated servers, called data PODs (Personal Online Datastores), based on the open solid protocol and cryptographically protected. PODs will keep data in Linked Data format to make it machine-readable for post-platforms.
  • Post-Patforms
    Platforms will keep on providing their services, but they will read and write their data directly on users’ PODs. It will make platforms interchangeable and will stimulate competition. The functionality will become the only way for platforms to get a competitive edge. Read more
  • Security
    Advanced security for some Web 3.0 services will be based on a global Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). With one key/e-passport, a user, whether a museum professional, researcher, or citizen, will be able to access data via any platform or application.
  • Discoverability
    Billions of PODs will be discoverable for platforms thanks to the DNS-like Register and commercial smart search engines enabling semantic discoverability of Linked Data.

Impact

Freeing data from the confines of platforms and positioning it at the heart of organizational and social processes will lead to unprecedented transparency and accountability, facilitate inclusivity by design and offer a clear path for the future. As our organisations and societies navigate the mid-life crisis of their digital existence, we propose a clear way forward.

  • Inclusivity
    Today’s approach to inclusivity in heritage is often reactive. The lion’s share of resources goes to large organisations and existing projects, often chosen for their clout and size. We are challenging this status quo by promoting inclusivity from the outset, not as an afterthought or a favor, inclusivity by design. We ensure that data from medium, small, and off-mainstream collections is accessible and all stakeholders can participate as equals, recognized and valued for their contributions.
  • Longevity & Sustainability
    The sustainability of public heritage projects is notoriously low. The funding period's burst of activity stops abruptly once the funding ends. The sustainability plans rarely hold water or see implementation. But if we require that data remains outside the confines of individual projects and platforms, we anchor these initiatives in reality. This paradigm shift will require time, but will eventually lead to accumulated value that justifies the initial investment.
  • Transparency & Accountability
    Billions are invested annually by funders in heritage projects but there is an obvious lack of systemic measurements and KPIs. It's difficult to learn from the past and improve future investments. Our data architecture promotes an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability in public expenditure, offering a robust framework for monitoring and evaluating the impact of funded projects across different funding frameworks and jurisdictions.
  • Digital Transformation
    As everyone is looking for the holy grail of Digital Transformation, this quest is often shortsightedly understood as the need for more tools or automation. We advocate for a foundational understanding that the digital realm is an extension of the physical. True transformation begins with a deep recognition of our fundamental rights and sovereignty in the digital domain, same as we exercise those in the physical one. By re-thinking how we own data we offer heritage institutions, technologists, and funders a transformative process that will have profound impact on their work.
  • Rollout
    JDS marks a fundamental paradigm shift, representing a leap forward for the entire spectrum of players. Its rollout is not (only) about technology, focusing instead on a conceptual shift: a broad coalition of stakeholders must engage in a sustained, close partnership through a multi-year iterative process. Such transformative collaboration is rare in heritage sectors, but it is our duty to our children to ensure they do not inherit the challenges we face today.
  • Build a Coalition of Changemakers
    JDS requires the formation of a broad coalition encompassing a diverse group of stakeholders. This includes heritage institutions, researchers, communities, technological innovators, and funders. By joining forces, these groups will create a dynamic and powerful movement capable of driving substantial change.
  • Have a Joint Plan
    Unlike typical technological innovations, JDS is an organisational one. Success hinges on collaborative efforts to develop a comprehensive 'Transition Blueprint'. This blueprint will guide all stakeholders through the necessary changes, ensuring a cohesive and unified approach to transformation.
  • Secure Support
    Implementing such a broad change demands substantial support and backing from major funders. The Rollout strategy includes using both carrots and sticks.
  • Climb Along the TRL Ladder
    Progressing through the stages of JDS is a gradual process. Much like the building of Rome, the development of a new digital society will not happen overnight. However, by methodically climbing the TRL ladder, stakeholders will make steady advances, ensuring sustainable progress.
  • Sticks and Carrots
    The transition will be achieved leveraging a combination of requirements and incentives for the main stakeholders, primarily content management companies and institutions.

FAQ

Today, many associate the concept of Web 3.0 with blockchain technologies and metaverses. While we recognize the value of some of these initiatives, the Web 3.0 Data Space / Jewish Data Space, is very different. Our vision for Web 3.0 draws inspiration from Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, and his Solid project. We are committed to the transformative potential of the Semantic Web and have a clear path toward realsing a fully distributed and machine-readable Internet.
Yes, it is as decentralised as the real world is. Every museum, citizen or building will have their own pods containing all their data. There will be no need for large public, governmental, or even corporate databases. Of course, it's not that everyone will own their own physical server, so some centralisation will occur through service providers, same as today with basic Internet technologies, like e-mail.
Web3.0 Data Space is fully compatible with the vision and standards of European Common Data Spaces. Furthermore, Web3.0 Data Spaces represents a major step forward for this initiative, as recognised by our partners at International Data Spaces Association (IDSA). European Data Spaces are an important vehicles for adoption and implementation of the Web 3.0 Data Space concept in various domains. Our team is involved in discussions with the main European Data Spaces stakeholders and actively participates in shaping this concept further.
The Post-Platforms Foundation is a a Dutch non-profit organisation developing and promoting the Web3.0 Data Space concept in various domains. The Foundation is JHN's strategic partner in implementing this vision in cultural heritage (Web3.0 Data Space for Cultural Heritage), and specifically in the Jewish domain (Jewish Data Space). We are also using the term “post-platforms” to describe future Web 3.0 platforms connected to fully decentralised databases of multiple individual PODs.
The main technological blocks of the new vision are developed, all to different levels of maturity (TRL or Technological Readiness Level, to use the term used by many public projects and authorities). We see our role in bring together various stakeholders into a shared ecosystem that can integrate these solutions and scale the result broadly to reach impact.