My thoughts on…Google: The world’s most powerful company?
November 1st 2006 -
Just this morning, I got to thinking about just how powerful Google is, and how it may well be the world’s most powerful company. Sure, if any tech company is going to take over the world, surely it will be Microsoft, assimilating us all with a giant Windows cube commanded by Billgatus of Borg (Non-Trekkies click here), right? But think about it. Microsoft mainly controls desktops, which is a powerful thing to command, but Google controls so much more.
They have Google Earth, which offers satellite maps of just about every corner of the planet. Who says they can’t use it to watch over us? Who says Google can’t be Big Brother? They of course have their search and video services, which they can use to influence public opinion by altering search results and showing choice videos. What’s to stop them from using that influence to achieve a political agenda? They’ve got Google Desktop, which, for all we know, could be secretly monitoring your computer activity. You see where I’m going with this?
Perhaps I’m being too paranoid, but I tried searching Google, trying to find out where exactly they store their search data, but nothing useful came up. Maybe I didn’t search well enough, or maybe it’s simply top secret. Maybe its located somewhere in the US, or maybe offshore, like a secret volcano lair? Plus I don’t trust large companies. They tend to have far too much control over our lives, and regardless of how Google started out, and no matter how much it tries to retain its friendly image, the fact is that now it is a souless corporate giant, and like all the others, it will try its best to be master of all that it surveys, and won’t hesitate to use us as pawns to do it.
Related Posts:
- My thoughts on…Google Chrome
- My thoughts on…Google buying YouTube
- Fun with Google
- My thoughts on…the possible Microsoft/Yahoo! merger
- My thoughts on…Ms.Dewey
SimplEnigma Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 9:03 pm
Kinda funny when you consider that this billion dollar company was started by a couple twenty-something nerds…
As was YouTube…
As was Facebook…
Noticing the pattern here? LOL
The Koala Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 10:20 pm
I love reading about google, and I see you’ve got some adsense on your site - hooking them up
TheKoala
http://thekoalanetwork.blogspot.com
Anita Says:
November 1st, 2006 at 10:55 pm
World’s most powerful internet company maybe, but certainly not the most powerful company.
They own almost nothing that wields significant power over others. They probably couldn’t even bring down the internet if they wanted (while plenty of telecom companies could).
Imagine the power wielded by companies like GE, Boeing, Walmart, etc. These companies could almost shut down the economy , or in Boeing/GE’s case, start blowing stuff up.
Oh wow, I wrote too much … and I run a humor site, geez. If you want to participate in a silly/funny quiz (with a real cash prize), come on over to Say No to Crack - all completely work/home appropriate.
Anji Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:44 am
You’ve made an interesting point. I think that as long as we are aware of how big they are we should remain safe.
If they wanted to spy on me I think they’d give up pretty quickly, I am so boring!
cube Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:52 am
You’re right. Google controls information, and when you control information, you control the world… or so Newman says
Jane Lake Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 4:56 pm
At least they have a cute logo that they always update with the latest theme.
cooldestiny Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:59 pm
Google rocks. It will be the death of us all. LOL @ Cube … so Newman says … hehehehe, funny.
PrivatePigg Says:
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Dude, what is this tripe? Do bother researching or citing your conspiracy theories, or do you just babble?
Google can’t “spy” on us any more than anyone else can. Google Earth comes from pictures taken from other people’s satellites and airplanes. They are not live action, but rather still photos, some of which are up to three years old.
As for being the most powerful company… well, you can’t use Google unless you are running someone else’s software, like Microsoft or Mozilla (your browser or OS).
Google could be secretly monitoring your activity via Google Desktop? Uh, no one cares about what you are doing on your desktop, “Leon” (if that IS your real name).
This is my favorite: “no matter how much it tries to retain its friendly image, the fact is that now it is a souless corporate giant, and like all the others, it will try its best to be master of all that it surveys, and won’t hesitate to use us as pawns to do it.”
Woo-hoo. You watch way too many movies. Get out more. Get a girlfriend. Get a good paying job. Get a nice house. Take a vacation. You’ll find your idle mind will no longer gravitate towards the absurd if you do.
Taylor Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 2:36 am
irrespective of them not being able to spy they kinda have a dominant hold on the things that people do daily on the internet. also they ask some freaky shit more time.. did you know google wanted to listen to peoples background noise as in yeh if you wanted to allow it you sign up have you mic running and htey’ld listen.. kidna like research i guess. WTF F$cking freak company.. i love google but not enough to listen to my bg noise. so odd.. O.o presumptious even.
Leon Says:
November 6th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
PrivatePigg, first of all, I have a girlfriend, and I bet she’s way hotter than yours, if you have one. Second of all, they could only allow you to access the snapshots while they access the live action ones.
Third of all, software cannot run without a computer can it, and a computer cannot run without electricity can it? Your point is irrelevant. Everything depends on something else.
Fourth of all, the average computer has tons of PINs, credit card numbers, etc, so, needless to say, no one would want others to access them. And finally, IT’S JUST A JOKE!