“The [Internet] Archive isn’t just about archiving the Internet; it’s about using the Internet as an archive for world culture, over time, with no barrier to entry or qualification or justification required. And it works. An afternoon spent on the Archive is like an afternoon at the public library; it’s aimless, and overwhelming, and endlessly exciting and educational. In a way, the Archive is exactly what we got told the Internet was supposed to be, back before the popup ads and nationwide ISPs: an Information Super Highway”.

Whatever you make of this assertion, it seems worthwhile reading more here.