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AgileDrop Podcast: John Faber on the Open Web and Business Composability

John Faber
November 29, 2023

AgileDrop Interviews John Faber on the Open Web and Business Composability

Originally aired November 29, 2023
Listen to the full episode →

John Faber is a managing partner at Chapter Three, a full-service web agency specializing in Drupal and Next.js.

In this episode, John and host Tim Butara discuss the Open Web and the growing importance of composable digital architectures. They examine why content ownership matters, how proprietary platforms threaten digital sovereignty, and how modern CMOs can leverage open-source strategies to future-proof their business.

Key Themes Covered

  • What the Open Web really means — and why it matters
  • The dangers of proprietary content platforms and changing license terms
  • The PASS equation: Performance, Accessibility, Security, and Scalability
  • Why content architecture is business-critical IP
  • The ethos behind open-source and how it differs from profit-first models
  • The role of composability in enabling freedom, speed, and privacy
  • Why Europe leads on digital privacy and what the U.S. can learn from it

“If we don’t have the Open Web, then those inspirational moments might be dulled out.”
— John Faber

Links & Mentions

Transcript Highlights

“Commercial software may be convenient, but it erodes agility, inflates costs, and puts your data at risk.”

Throughout the interview, John emphasizes that composability is not just a technical choice—it's a philosophical and strategic one. Central to his argument is that ownership of content, architecture, and infrastructure is essential in a world increasingly dominated by AI and data harvesting.

He contrasts open-source platforms like Drupal—which prioritize transparency, collaboration, and community—with proprietary vendors whose incentives center around monetizing user content and behavior.

The conversation dives into the four pillars of the Open Web:

  • Open Standards
  • Decentralization
  • Freedom and Innovation
  • Privacy and Security

John also discusses business composability as a way to reduce risk, increase flexibility, and innovate faster—pointing to real-world client use cases and future trends.

Final Thoughts

As CMOs face rising pressure to deliver digital experiences quickly, securely, and affordably, the choice of platform architecture becomes a strategic one. John's message is clear:

Own your platform, own your content, and choose vendors who respect that.

Contact

For anyone looking to begin their composable journey or protect their digital assets, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance.

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