Towards a Theory of Networked Computation

The emergence of large networks like the Web and the Internet is one of the most profound shifts in focus in computer science since its inception. During the last 50 years, computer science has focused primarily on understanding how best to design, build, analyze, and program a computer. The emergence of the Internet and the Web represents a radical shift of focus in our thinking about computational systems. Perhaps the most important distinguishing feature of these networks is that they are simultaneously built, operated, and used by multiple parties with diverse sets of interests and with constantly changing degrees of cooperation and competition. One of the main challenges faced by computer science today is to successfully build and manage large systems created and used by many autonomous organizations and individuals. How can we ensure that such a network functions properly, respects the rights of individual users, and exploits its vast shared resources fully and fairly?