An Ode to Links

A URL is a technical thing: a hostname, a path, a port, an origin, some query parameters, etc. But a link is a cultural thing: an invitation, a citation, a gift, a shortcut, a connection. All from a simple idea: here’s a thing that points to another thing, off you go! We’ve built an entire culture around links. Just look at the language we use for them: “Drop me a link.” “Send me the link.” “Got a link?” “Link in bio.” “Link in the description.” “Here’s the link.” “Don’t click that link.” “Sorry, wrong link.” Or even just, “Link?” Our language spans the spectrum of meaning, from one end to the other: We save links. We lose links. We share links. We hide links. We send links. We receive links. We collect links. We discard links. We open links. We close links. We add links. We remove links. We make links. We break links. We shorten links. We expand links. We follow links. We ignore links. We click links. We don’t click links. We link in. We link out. We make links. Links make the web.…