Is Google the name we use for George Orwell’s vision of Big Brother?

Andy Beard introduces us to the joys of using Gmail (Google’s free web based email)…and the filtering the free email service does at the source.  UGH!  Once again illustrating that hard life lesson that nothing in life is truly "free".

Calling Google Orwellian is nothing new.  Scott Cleland writes:

I continue to marvel at the undisciplined‚ naivete and brat-ishness‚ of this $150 billion 8 year old company called Google. Like a spolied child that has gotten used to getting everything they scream for‚ because of over-indulgent market parents who never said no, this company truly behaves like they think the world revolves around them and their demands.

However, it’s almost impossible not to be touched by Google if you live and work on the internet.   Even if you were to try to avoid Google, if you purchase a Dell computer and you’ll find the Google Toolbar already pre-installed! (See Google Turns the Page…in a Bad Way.) 

Cries of Google’s evil intent date back several years.  The famous "O’Reilly" blog has a post from 2005 on "Is Google Evil?"

Still, no matter how "evil" Google gets, (rich? powerful? seemingly omnipotent?) there are still those who will put a positive (and amusing) spin on the whole situation.  (Read the First full-time biotech employee at Google.)

It’s also interesting to note that the cries labeling the Orwellian nature of Google don’t extend to Myspace or Facebook.

Posted by Kathy | Filed Under Blogs As Marketing Tools 

Comments

2 Responses to “Is Google the name we use for George Orwell’s vision of Big Brother?”

  1. Beth on January 25th, 2008 1:30 pm

    It really does seem impossible to get away from Google. I personally would not want a Google toolbar already installed on my computer.

  2. Myspace Layout on February 24th, 2008 12:17 am

    I think we’ll find social networks to be far more insidious. not only do they have all of your personalinformation but by it’s very nature all of your personal connections which make studying you that much easier

Got something to say? Let the link love flow!

After 10 comments, comment links are followed (nofollow removed)

Please read my comments policy





  • Best Blog Marketing Ebook
    Currently in Beta Testing:

    Everything You Need to Know About Business Blogging

    PLUS

    The 8 Week Blog Power Launch

    This step by step guide will take you from "I don't know nothing "bout blogging" to blogging pro in just 8 short weeks!


    Developed as a result of working with literally hundreds of blogs.


    These are not lessons on the "mechanics" of blogging... but rather a step by step course which covers essential blogging tools PLUS how to develop a blogging STRATEGY to create a successful blog.


    So far, one beta participant has seen blog traffic double and the blog's Alexa has dropped in half after just four weeks!


    Sign up below and  not only will you be notified when the typos are corrected and some of the concepts are clarified - but you'll also save 50% off the list price!
    Name
    Email


  • Archives

  • My Zimbio
    Top Stories