The One Piece world's technology progression is an odd one. For the most part, the series seems like it's set in the real world's equivalent of the 17th or 18th century. In other parts, however, there's refrigeration, cloning, and even some technology that surpasses real-world modern science; the Egghead Arc took this latter point to its logical extreme. What's more, some forms of technology like infrared sensors and telecommunication have been emulated through means completely unique to their world. This raises the question of how advancements that haven't been developed yet will manifest.
One such advancement that seems to have been foreshadowed is the internet. Dr. Vegapunk mused about the notion of people around the world sharing information through a single source. Much of the modern One Piece audience has noted that this would effectively be the birth of the internet. If it is, then it should have all of the facets and consequences associated with the real-world internet.
How Would Vegapunk's Version of the Internet Work?
The subject came up in Chapter 1067, "Punk Records," as Vegapunk was describing the eponymous section of Egghead that houses his ever-growing brain. Currently, only he and his six Satellites can share their accumulated knowledge and experiences through Punk Records. His dream is to one day connect the rest of the world to his brain and make its knowledge accessible to everyone ab vice versa. Since the One Piece world doesn't even have computers yet, Vegapunk needed to further describe his dream for Punk Records as a massive library.
A lot of fans found Jimbei's reaction to this theoretical knowledge base especially interesting. He was quick to point out how such a gathering place for knowledge could be corrupted by clashing ideologies. This is a real enough problem with the internet that's led to trolls, flame wars, Baneposting, and hate speech; as a Fish-Man, Jimbei would be especially wary of that latter potential consequence. Vegapunk validated the Knight of the Sea's suspicion, but he also saw it as something that could be overlooked in the name of scientific progress.
Vegapunk's concept of a shared brain could also be likened to the Brain Net proposed by theoretical physicist Dr. Michio Kaku. He, too, believes in a future where memories, sensations, and feelings can be sent directly to individuals' brains. He even believes that one's memories will be saved digitally after one dies, which seems to be what Vegapunk is aiming for.
A symbiosis between machinery and living tissue would be ideal in a world like One Piece. Again, they've already substituted all forms of telecommunication with Transponder Snails. To continue to progress by emulating real-world science with biomechanics and cybernetics seems only natural.
It's hard to say whether Vegapunk's dream of the internet will be realized by the end of One Piece's main story. If there's an epilogue, then fans may get to see a glimpse of what it's like in the not-too-distant future. It could turn out like the real-world internet, but its unique setup could also lead to all sorts of new possibilities.