Google at 25: Blessing or Curse?

Sure, you can find everything. But everything can find you, too. [The Rude Awakening] September 27, 2023 [WEBSITE]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Google at 25: A Double-Edged Sword of Innovation and Intrusion - Today is Google’s 25th birthday. - Google helped usher in the Information Age. - But while we’re the product, we’re lucky we didn’t turn into Glassholes. [The Scariest Part About Biden’s 2024 Campaign…]( It’s not that he could raise our gas prices to $10 a gallon. It isn’t because he has America on the cusp of a nuclear World War III… And honestly, it’s not even his ridiculous, “woke” agendas… What scares me the most is… [Is this](. Are you prepared to lose thousands – or tens of thousands – of dollars per year due to his upcoming policies? If not… [Watch this video now](. [Click Here To Learn More]( [Sean Ring] SEAN RING Happy Hump Day! Sean here, and today, we're diving deep into the labyrinthine world of Google. The tech giant is celebrating its 25th birthday, and what a rollercoaster it's been! A quarter-century of innovation, disruption, and, let's be honest, a fair bit of controversy. Miami, 1999 The February before I moved to London, I took a trip to South Beach with my friends Larry and Doc. We had an exciting time watching all the models get suntanned. I also nearly passed out from one of those alco-slurpees from Wet Willie’s. But I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my dad on the pay phone. John Ring was a long-distance truck driver before he met my mother. So, he knew the roads of the United States like the back of his hand. I remember telling him where I was, and then I heard a long pause. Next, he says, “Look over your shoulder. Is there a Shell station there?” I turned around and nearly fell over. There was a Shell station exactly where he said there was one. It was better than a magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat! Of course, it’d be much easier if I had a map. Or a map on a phone. If my phone had a screen. Then again, that stuff wouldn’t be invented for nearly a decade. But Apple invented the iPhone, and Google produced Maps. The rest is history. So, let’s raise a glass - not Google Glass - to Google, twenty-five years young today. But let’s also reflect on the not-so-great stuff as well. The Good: Pioneering the Information Age Search Engine Revolution First and foremost, Google's search engine. It's the cornerstone of their empire. Remember the dark ages of AltaVista, Lycos, and Ask Jeeves? Google swept them into the dustbin of history. With its PageRank algorithm, Google revolutionized how we find and consume information. It's the modern-day Library of Alexandria, except it fits right in your pocket. Android: The Democratizer Android, Google's open-source OS, has been nothing short of revolutionary. Android was the great equalizer in a world where Apple's walled garden could have monopolized the smartphone market. It's not just a smartphone OS; it's a ticket to the digital world for billions in emerging markets. Google Maps: The Modern Compass Google Maps has changed the way we navigate our world. It's not just about finding your way from point A to point B; it's about discovering new places, from that hole-in-the-wall café to a scenic detour you'd never have found otherwise. Google Scholar and Google Books: The Academic Goldmine Google Scholar and Google Books are godsent for researchers, academics, and curious minds. They've made millions of papers, articles, and publications accessible, breaking down the barriers to knowledge. Google Drive and Workspace: Collaboration Unleashed The suite of Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides has transformed how we work and collaborate. Gone are the days of emailing attachments back and forth. Real-time collaboration is now the norm, not the exception. [An $85 Trillion Gold Shock Is Coming]( A [massive $85 trillion shock]( is set to hit the gold market in the next few days. Because of that, I predict anyone who gets in today could see the chance to make a potential fortune. Hurry, though. Once this event begins, you’ll be too late. [Click here right away for the urgent details](. [Click Here To Learn More]( The Bad: The Price of “Free” Data Mining: The Invisible Trade Google's services may be “free,” but make no mistake, you're the product. Every search query, location you visit, and video you watch—it's all data and monetized. It's a Faustian bargain many of us willingly enter. But at what cost? Censorship and Algorithmic Bias Google's influence on what we see or don't see is enormous. Whether de-ranking certain news sources or complying with authoritarian regimes, Google has shown it's willing to be the gatekeeper of information, for better or worse. Anti-Competitive Shenanigans Google's dominance has led to several anti-competitive practices. From prioritizing its own services in search results to making it difficult for users to switch to competitors, Google has often used its market power to stifle competition. The Ugly: Ethical Quagmires and Missed Shots Project Maven: Crossing the Line Google's involvement in Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative focused on AI and drone technology, was a stark reminder that tech companies aren't only about making our lives easier. They're also entangled in ethical dilemmas with real-world consequences. Google+: The Social Network That Wasn't Google has had its fair share of flops, and Google+ tops the list. Despite its aggressive push, including forcing it upon YouTube users, it never caught on. Google eventually shut it down. It teaches that not even Google can force a product into success. Google Glass: Ahead of Its Time or Just Ill-Conceived? Remember Google Glass and all its Glassholes? It promised to bring augmented reality into the mainstream but became a punchline for tech elitism and privacy concerns. Wrap Up So, as we toast to Google's 25th, let's do so with a grain of salt. The company has been a driving force of technological progress, but it's also a cautionary tale of what happens when too much power is concentrated in too few hands. As a paleo-libertarian, I champion free markets and innovation. But I also value privacy and individual autonomy. Google's journey embodies the tension between these ideals. It's a company that has enriched our lives in countless ways but also poses questions about privacy, ethics, and the concentration of power we can't ignore. Here's to hoping that Google's next twenty-five years aren’t only about relentless innovation but also about greater responsibility and accountability. Until next time, keep your eyes open and your data private. All the best, [Sean Ring] Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening X (formerly Twitter): [@seaniechaos]( In Case You Missed It… The Great American Tradition Resumes [Sean Ring] SEAN RING I was just trundling through the news when I came across one of my favorite terms: shutdown. As in, government shutdown. I can’t think of a more helpful thing a government can do, especially a Western government. (Even Belgium’s economy registered growth during their myriad shutdowns.) Not only do the usual government shutdowns not matter, this one is especially ridiculous. Kevin McCarthy, the House Speaker, who continually proves himself to be about as useful as nuts on a Catholic priest, has decided not to stop Ukraine’s funding during the shutdown. So, Johnny Foreigner gets his wedge while Americans must dutifully wait for their share of the spoils. Their spoils. The question isn’t how it took McCarthy fifteen votes to get confirmed as Speaker; it’s how he got confirmed at all! Let’s poke fun at the whole ridiculous thing on this autumnal Tuesday. It’s Shutdown Time! Ah, yes, the time-honored American tradition is upon us once again. No, I'm not talking about Thanksgiving or the Super Bowl. I'm referring to the ever-so-dramatic, always entertaining, and utterly pointless spectacle known as the "government shutdown." You see, folks, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, there’s this peculiar ritual where elected officials—those paragons of virtue and wisdom—can't agree on how to spend the money they've already taken from you. So, what's the logical solution? Shut it all down, of course! [The #1 Crypto SECRET No One’s Telling You]( This ordinary package hides a surprising crypto secret… [CLICK HERE to See What’s In the Box]( It’s a little-known device with the power to deliver you FREE crypto income… Every day, with ZERO work! In fact, Stacy H. reportedly made a staggering $10,000 in just ONE YEAR thanks to this device! [Click here now]( to discover what it is, and how YOU can get your hands on one yourself. [Click Here To Learn More]( Of Course, It’s All Trump’s Fault From the [AP]( A government shutdown would disrupt the U.S. economy and the lives of millions of Americans who work for the government or rely on federal services — from air traffic controllers who would be asked to work without pay to some 7 million people in the Women, Infants, and Children program, including half the babies born in the U.S., who could lose access to nutritional benefits, according to the White House. It comes against the backdrop of the 2024 elections as Donald Trump, the leading Republican to challenge Biden, is egging on the Republicans in Congress to “shut it down” and undo the deal McCarthy made with Biden. Republicans are also being encouraged by former Trump officials, including those who are preparing to slash government and the federal workforce if the former president retakes the White House in the 2024 election. With five days to go before Saturday’s deadline, the turmoil is unfolding as House Republicans hold their first Biden impeachment inquiry hearing this week probing the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden. “Unless you get everything, shut it down!” Trump wrote in all capital letters on social media. “It’s time Republicans learned how to fight!” The Blame Game Now, let's not kid ourselves. The blame game is the main event here. Democrats will point fingers at Republicans. Republicans will point right back. And the media? Oh, they'll have a field day, churning out headlines faster than the Federal Reserve prints money. But let's be honest: this is a bipartisan failure. It's like watching two kids fight over a toy, except the toy is a multi-trillion-dollar budget, and the kids are supposed to be adults. Essential vs. Non-Essential During a shutdown, we're often reminded of the terms "essential" and "non-essential" government services. It's a fascinating exercise in discovering just how much of the government is, in fact, non-essential. Here’s a quick clue: Ukraine is essential. You are not. Nor are Maui residents. Or East Palestine residents. Do you mean to tell me we can survive without every federal agency operating at full capacity? Shocking, I know. The Market's Reaction Ah, the markets. Those jittery, emotional beasts that react to every headline and tweet. You'd think Wall Street would panic over a government shutdown, right? Wrong. The market has seen this circus before, and it's unimpressed. In fact, some traders might even see it as a buying opportunity. Less government meddling could be a good thing, couldn't it? Right now, the markets are far more worried about how high and how long Jay Powell will take interest rates. Although this would be interesting, from [Reuters]( The publication of major U.S. economic data, including employment and inflation reports of critical importance to policymakers and investors, will be suspended indefinitely should the federal government shut down at the end of this week because of a lack of funding, a government official said. The suspension of the reports would occur across all government agencies such as the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Commerce Department's Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), and leave policymakers at the Federal Reserve, investors, businesses, and ordinary Americans in the dark as they make key decisions. The Real Victims Let's not forget the real victims here: the American taxpayers. While politicians engage in their theatrical disputes, it's the average Joe and Jane who bear the brunt. Whether it's delayed tax returns, closed national parks, or just the general sense of dysfunction, the people are the ones who suffer. But hey, at least we get some comedic relief from watching our leaders make fools of themselves on the national stage. The Silver Lining If there's a silver lining to all this, it's that government shutdowns expose the inefficiencies and absurdities of a bloated federal system. It's a wake-up call, a chance for you to question why the country needs such a cumbersome, intrusive government in the first place. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to consider a more streamlined, less paternalistic approach. But who am I kidding? This is Washington we're talking about. Unless 45 becomes 47, that is. I bet he’d like to take a machete to the government after stupidly keeping employed a bunch of Democrats who consciously worked against him. Wrap Up So, grab your popcorn and settle in for another round of shutdown theater. It will be a wild ride, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. And when it's all over, we'll be right back where we started, waiting for the next act in this never-ending drama. Until then, keep your wallets close and your liberties closer. Because if there's one thing a government shutdown proves, it's that the only thing we can truly rely on is ourselves. All the best, [Sean Ring] Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening Twitter: [@seaniechaos]( [Paradigm]( ☰ ⊗ [ARCHIVE]( [ABOUT]( [Contact Us]( © 2023 Paradigm Press, LLC. 808 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore MD 21202. By submitting your email address, you consent to Paradigm Press, LLC. delivering daily email issues and advertisements. To end your Rude Awakening e-mail subscription and associated external offers sent from Rude Awakening, feel free to [click here.]( Please note: the mailbox associated with this email address is not monitored, so do not reply to this message. We welcome comments or suggestions at feedback@rudeawakening.info. 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