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The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

billdembski.substack.com

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Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#11

Post by jonahrd »

I found it incredibly confusing to read the following:

> Once the federal government gets into the business of allowing free speech, it can define what’s allowable free speech. And you need only look at our northern neighbor or our friends across the Atlantic to see how that’s working out.

I had to scan the article for other clues that the author is, in fact, American, and was, in fact, referencing Canada and Europe as supposedly worse of in regarding to free speech than the US.

The US consistently ranks below Europe and Canada when rated on free speech metrics by third parties [1] -- and has been trending downwards.

[1] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries...

Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#12

Post by derektank »

jonahrd wrote: post #11

I found it incredibly confusing to read the following: > Once the federal government gets into the business of allowing free speech, it can define what’s allowable free speech. And you need only look at our northern neighbor or our friends across the Atlantic to see how that’s working out. I had to scan the article for other clues that the author is, in fact, American, and was, in fact, referencing Canada and Europe…

There are two rankings at your link, the freedom of speech index and the press freedom index. If you look at the freedom of speech index the USA is among the top 5 countries for freedom of speech protections behind only Norway and Denmark

Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#13

Post by Workaccount2 »

jonahrd wrote: post #11

I found it incredibly confusing to read the following: > Once the federal government gets into the business of allowing free speech, it can define what’s allowable free speech. And you need only look at our northern neighbor or our friends across the Atlantic to see how that’s working out. I had to scan the article for other clues that the author is, in fact, American, and was, in fact, referencing Canada and Europe…

They don't share how they do their judgement, and it's strange how Norway ranks #1 despite having laws that allow for imprisonment for hate speech.[1] Perhaps hate speech doesn't count as speech in the ranking?

[1]https://www.litteraturhuset.no/en/freedom-of-expression

Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#14

Post by lern_too_spel »

jonahrd wrote: post #11

I found it incredibly confusing to read the following: > Once the federal government gets into the business of allowing free speech, it can define what’s allowable free speech. And you need only look at our northern neighbor or our friends across the Atlantic to see how that’s working out. I had to scan the article for other clues that the author is, in fact, American, and was, in fact, referencing Canada and Europe…

The guy complains about how Google down ranks an anti-vaccine doctor. His idea of free speech is giving cranks like himself a platform above useful content.

Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#15

Post by chetanvaity »

Workaccount2 wrote: post #7

It's arguable that the worst thing Google has done is be the ultimate fruition of the ad model. Most people are so accustomed to "free" services from google, that they don't even see it as transactional, but rather as exploitive. "I'm trying to watch my youtube videos, and google keeps shoving these ads in my face. Google, please fuck off!" or "I'm trying to organize my business expenses but Google sheets won't load.…

When we used to talk about the data-collection for various reasons - but primarily for ad-targetting and later personlization purposes, we always were quite concerned.

The data-collection felt very wrong. But, we kinda collectively sighed and allowed it, thinking ads are a necessary evil.

First of all, as engineers, this is a cop-out.

Even if we grant ads as a necessary evil, this should always have been stop-gap to a better - a less evil - business model.

As engineers, we again failed to stand up against this continued use - for decades now.

But,

nobody ever agreed for the data to be made available to the State.

This is a breach of trust!

If anyone says their hands were tied - I say they were tied with money.

Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#16

Post by derektank »

>In 2015 Google’s parent company Alphabet retired the old motto, now substituting for it “Do the right thing.” The old motto was better. Negation has advantages that positive assertions lack.

Setting aside the specific case of Google, while I think the author makes a strong argument for the value of negation, particularly for institutions, there's also something enervating as an individual about trying to do nothing wrong, rather trying to do good. It's so easy to self criticize, to second guess oneself, and ultimately let anxiety and fear of "doing the wrong thing" take hold. I think most people would be better served by seeking to do the right thing, rather than merely not being evil.

Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#17

Post by helph67 »

Workaccount2 wrote: post #7

It's arguable that the worst thing Google has done is be the ultimate fruition of the ad model. Most people are so accustomed to "free" services from google, that they don't even see it as transactional, but rather as exploitive. "I'm trying to watch my youtube videos, and google keeps shoving these ads in my face. Google, please fuck off!" or "I'm trying to organize my business expenses but Google sheets won't load.…

> the worst thing Google has done is be the ultimate fruition of the ad model Of course they are ALWAYS tracking you... https://www.techradar.com/news/nearly-half-of-all-online-tra...

Re: The Evilization of Google–and What to Do About It

#20

Post by bediger4000 »

mmmpetrichor wrote: post #5
nine_k wrote: post #3

According to the article, the evil Google has made life harder for affiliate marketing industry, SEO industry, alternative medicine sites... Well, Google has certainly made quite a few unpleasant things, but mentioning these as examples makes it hard for me to sympathize the author's case. (Added:) Allegations of Google's manipulating the search results to influence voting behavior are much more interesting.

yeah it's like hes complaining about them being evil better then he is able to. lol.

The author is William Dembski, a proponent of Intelligent Design. You shouldn't be surprised by this particular complaint.
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