Vint Cerf enjoys WoW with his son
by Mike Schramm 
Apr 27th 2008 at 8:00PM
Esquire has an interview up with Vint Cerf, "father of the Internet," about the things he likes: The Swiss Family Robinson, Shakespeare, and yes, World of Warcraft. Cerf is apparently a player of the game, along with his son. He does say that "it may seem like a waste of time" to play WoW, but he praises the game for presenting a simple and solvable set of problems and an online framework around which to solve them together. Cerf, as you may imagine, is a casual, though -- while he says it probably does take a lot of playtime to do well at WoW, he'd rather play at his own rate (so he'd enjoy our WoW, Casually column, seems like).Elsewhere in the conversation, Cerf actually vindicates Al Gore for his famous "I invented the Internet" comment. So chalk another one up to Mr. Gore -- without him, there'd be no Internet, and without the Internet, there'd be no WoW. And what else would we and Vint Cerf be doing on a Sunday evening?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Blizzard, Humor
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Reinard Apr 27th 2008 9:03PM
I saw that yesterday :) Great stuff. I couldn't help but giggle when I read the part about WoW.
Eternalpayn Apr 27th 2008 10:04PM
'Reproducing isn't nearly as much fun in Second Life.'
This guy is full of win.
Kalabus Apr 27th 2008 10:13PM
interesting article I may add, very nice read. but does requires a few corections Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn developed the first description of the TCP protocols during 1973 and published a paper on the subject in May 1974. Use of the term "Internet" to describe a single global TCP/IP network originated in December 1974 with the publication of RFC 674, the first full specification of TCP that was written by Vinton Cerf, Yogen Dalal and Carl Sunshine, then at Stanford University. During the next nine years, work proceeded to refine the protocols and to implement them on a wide range of operating systems.
Although the basic applications and guidelines that make the Internet possible had existed for almost a decade, the network did not gain a public face until the 1990s. On August 6, 1991, CERN, which straddles the border between France and Switzerland, publicized the new World Wide Web project. The Web was invented by English scientist Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. even though vint cerf in some circles is known as the father of the internet he is just one of many who help create the foundation and base for what it is today. Vincent Cerf is a great contributer to this project laid out by the U.S. Military project.
Jasperwind Apr 27th 2008 10:58PM
That's not what your mom said! :D
Gasher Apr 27th 2008 11:54PM
Way to cut and paste there Kalabus....very impressive.
guesswho? Apr 28th 2008 11:16AM
ip on everything amirite?
Dave Apr 28th 2008 1:21AM
It's a pretty good idiot test to just wait for someone to say something stupid like "Al Gore thinks he invented the internet LOLZ". When they do that, you can safely disregard everything they say, since they're clearly not informed about much at all since for at least 10 years people have simultaneously acknowledged that he never said that, and technology insiders who are at least moderately aware, realize that his legislation was what provided for a commercial internet beyond the boundaries of military and academic operation.
We'll look back on the last 8 years in the near future when Net Neutrality is nowhere to be found, and wish that Al Gore were in the White House, as he'd have definitely pushed the agenda for a neutral internet much more so than the technologically ignorant President right now.
Tom Apr 28th 2008 1:41AM
This guy is good! I think he is still young. Even he enjoys WoW with his son! Once referring to Vint Cerf, I will associate him with the internet. The internet is obviously great. Still, you have to wonder, what percent of electronic traffic actually contributes to the economy in a real (physical) and sustainable way. Vint is really great. Anyone read his 'Internet Dreams'? It really gives us a lot logos: http://dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=99745&ru=279 , Yes, without him, there'd be no Internet. And the web wouldn't be possible without the internet.
Mihn Apr 28th 2008 1:51AM
Way to inject your political leanings into a WoW article.
Bias much?
Reinard Apr 28th 2008 2:18AM
You guys will find a way to complain about *anything* Mike posts, huh?
Treima Apr 28th 2008 2:35AM
Aside from Net Neutrality (which really should be a no-brainer), I don't see how Mr. Cerf is much of a political man.
Adam Apr 28th 2008 3:50AM
"Reality has a well-known liberal bias."
Badger Apr 28th 2008 9:44AM
Aha! Look, boys and girls! The Hate Wagon is trolling - er, rolling - into town! Time for the Daily Anti-Schramm Parade! Gather around for your LOLipops and your DIAF cookies!
*sounds of children cheering*
SRSLY. There are much more important things for you guys to complain about.
Kalabus Apr 28th 2008 9:10AM
cut and paste dont mean anything facts are facts. and Im not being paid to place proper information in my own words. and I didnt bash or say anything that was incorect regarding mr cerf. just needed to clarify that indeed his contributions were great but in the case of father of the internet, I would demand a paternity test cause there is to many seeds
Badger Apr 28th 2008 9:46AM
"Facts dont do facts like u did."
Sorry, man, your typography made me do it.
andywoho Apr 28th 2008 10:37AM
Cerflock: Hey, all. New to the game. Can anyone tell me where Orgrimmar is, please?
Haterade: OMGLOL n00b. L2 use the internet, kk? lolz
Cerflock: ...
As for the Al Gore comment, yep, I don't know why any discussion about the development of the Internet has to include "Al Gore says he invented the Internet! lolz" when, if you've done any research whatsoever, you know Gore never said that.
Hate Mike? I didn't know I was supposed to. All I know is that Mike opened that door. We just stepped through it.
Kassius Apr 28th 2008 12:43PM
nice article, but he did end on a surprisingly depressing note :(