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Google was founded 25 years ago today

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Re: Google was founded 25 years ago today

#4

Post by drt5b7j »

Google is a great example of "it's difficult to get someone to understand something if their paycheck depends on not understanding it".

Even before google was founded and the founders discussed how they could monetize their search, they understood that paid ads create a conflict of interest: the point of search which is to to return the most relevant results, but the incentive in paid ads is to return the best paying ads. One of their papers contains this point _in writing_.

However, every single time I pointed this out to a person working at google they immediately jump into Olympic level acrobatics to explain why the two things are not in conflict. I especially enjoy hearing the argument that in a free market the most relevant advertiser also happens be the one who can afford to pay the most. I've never worked at Google, but I would bet that part of their induction is to train their employees how to combat these ideas.

Anyway big picture google isn't one of the worst.

Re: Google was founded 25 years ago today

#5

Post by PuffinBlue »

I'm curious if there's another company in history that became so pervasive so quickly? Not just in terms of size, but in impact/reach?

I realise this question somewhat requires defining what Google is and it's current size and scale, which is quite the challenge.

To me Google seems uniquely impactful, uniquely quickly, but I'd love to learn of other comparable companies from history.

Re: Google was founded 25 years ago today

#6

Post by lemper »

drt5b7j wrote: post #4

Google is a great example of "it's difficult to get someone to understand something if their paycheck depends on not understanding it". Even before google was founded and the founders discussed how they could monetize their search, they understood that paid ads create a conflict of interest: the point of search which is to to return the most relevant results, but the incentive in paid ads is to return the best paying…

well articulated.

if any of you google employees reading this thread, if you love open and free web, get out of google. you're part of the problem.

Re: Google was founded 25 years ago today

#7

Post by TheAceOfHearts »

PuffinBlue wrote: post #5

I'm curious if there's another company in history that became so pervasive so quickly? Not just in terms of size, but in impact/reach? I realise this question somewhat requires defining what Google is and it's current size and scale, which is quite the challenge. To me Google seems uniquely impactful, uniquely quickly, but I'd love to learn of other comparable companies from history.

Wikipedia is probably the biggest contender. I'd say Wikipedia's growth is even more impressive because it hasn't been fueled by a bunch of acquisitions.

Re: Google was founded 25 years ago today

#9

Post by guessmyname »

lemper wrote: post #6
drt5b7j wrote: post #4

Google is a great example of "it's difficult to get someone to understand something if their paycheck depends on not understanding it". Even before google was founded and the founders discussed how they could monetize their search, they understood that paid ads create a conflict of interest: the point of search which is to to return the most relevant results, but the incentive in paid ads is to return the best paying…

well articulated. if any of you google employees reading this thread, if you love open and free web, get out of google. you're part of the problem.

> if any of you google employees reading this thread, if you love open and free web, get out of google. you're part of the problem.

Shouldn’t we give the opposite advice? To stay at Google in order to gain influence as to create initiatives to guide the company into a better direction?

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