Why can't I hate Uncle Google?

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Why can't I hate Uncle Google?

by alecweston ^Pro @ 2008-09-07 – 19:36:56

I'm a great corporate-hater. I rail against Tesco and Wal-Mart/Asda. I hate Coke, boycott Macdonald's, sneer at Disney and the Universe of Murdoch. In computing I only stopped resenting IBM when they became more or less irrelevant - and Microsoft joined my hate list.

Although I would disagree, a cynic might say that this corporate-hating is all that remains of my socialism.

Anyway, for some reason, I can't bring myself to hate Google - despite the fact that their near monopoly of the search market, and related domination of internet advertising brings them far nearer to world domination than any of the other corporation I have mentioned. Plus they own YouTube.

What's more, their recent launch of the Chrome browser could threaten Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and in time all PC based operating sytems, including Windows. Great- except that will leave Google pretty well the Dictator of the whole computer world.

So why can't I hate Google? Can you?

Do they hypnotise us somehow, put something in the water?
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12 Comments to Why can't I hate Uncle Google?

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- soyunperdedor ^Pro
- http://soyunperdedor.blog.co.uk
- 2008-09-07 @ 19:39:48
Simple - Google is a catchy word which works well as a verb.

Chrome - I've given it a go, and I like it, but it has a few blips I don't like. I'll wait until the next edition.
- - alecweston ^Pro
  - 2008-09-07 @ 19:54:53
  Yes, I read your first comment on it. Don't think it works for Macs yet.
  
  And you're right: I'm not sure what "to Microsoft" would be.
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- rithompson
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/rithompson/
- 2008-09-07 @ 19:48:30
Because Google is useful to all users of the internet!
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- SeasideMan ^Pro
- 2008-09-07 @ 20:20:45
Google handle about 60% of web searches. I use them because they're the fastest and their initial page is free from adverts and other tat, unlike Yahoo and so on. View the page source for google.com and it's absolutely tiny. Their level of domination is disturbing, I agree, but why should I use an inferior engine?

Tom.
- - alecweston ^Pro
  - 2008-09-07 @ 21:03:41
  My point was not that they do not provide a brilliantly useful search engine, (just as Word was for a long time the obvious choice for WP, and IE for browser) but that I find I don't resent them while using it - and even when they buy eg YouTube and launch other products (which I may end up using, too)
  
  alec
  - - SeasideMan ^Pro
    - 2008-09-07 @ 21:10:33
    Yes, I got that. And my point is that there is no reason to resent them as they provide a good service and don't appear to have the same disgusting business practices as Microsoft, McDomalds, etc. They've succeeded by being better, not by grinding the opposition into the dirt.
    
    Tom.
    - - soyunperdedor ^Pro
      - http://soyunperdedor.blog.co.uk
      - 2008-09-07 @ 21:17:14
      Do they own you too?!
      - SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        2008-09-07 @ 21:28:04
        
        Yes, I get a penny a word from them.
        
        T.
        
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      - alecweston ^Pro
        
        2008-09-07 @ 21:30:09
        
        Shhh! "They are the most brilliant, wonderful firm that has ever existed in the history of the universe" I have been programmed to say.
        
        Did you ever see The Manchurian Candidate? The proper, sixties, one with Sinatra and Lawrence Harvey?
        
        No? Then my reference will pass you by.
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        2008-09-07 @ 21:39:58
        
        Yes, I've seen Frankenheimer's adaptation, and I've read Robert Condon's original novel too. They bear little relevance to anything I said.
        
        You "hate" Tesco, but you only "resent" Google. My explanation for that difference seems reasonable, but if it's the wrong one I'm happy to hear your correct reason.
        
        Tom.
        
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        alecweston ^Pro
        
        2008-09-07 @ 21:47:32
        
        This is getting complicated. I did not (mean to) say I even resented Google - just that I'm not sure why I don't (monoploistic, very powerful etc)
        
        As for M. Candidate - my reference was my own reply (to soy) - the bit I put in quotes somewhat resembles what all the Harvey character's army mates say about him when asked, because of their brainwashing.
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        2008-09-07 @ 21:50:54
        
        OK, I understand. I'll say no more.
        
        Tom.
        
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