Home : Blogs : Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent : Seattle Real Estate Blog ~ Seattle's Urban Villages ~ Deborah Burns

"The World According to Google" Interesting Video

Tonight I watched a program called "The World According to Google" on my local PBS Station, KCTS in Seattle.

Google Homepage

I found the documentary very interesting because of my blogging and my ActiveRain induced interest in SEO. If Google is important to you, then this is a must see video to better understand Google.

There was background on the birth of Google, its' growth, and some concerns for the future. There are lots of answers, but just as many questions arise during the program.

I love the company motto: "Don't' Be Evil". The company's beginnings were so simple and innocent. Now some people question how, if Google continues it's domination (has a 60% market share as a search engine) for collecting, indexing and storing information at what point does it become the absolute repository of information and knowledge, and will it continue to share that or will it Control it Absolutely?

What about storing Personal Information? The were some points of view that make the case for questioning Googles' motives, and if the company's motives continue to be "Don't Do Evil", what about Government pressure to release information? China has already put pressure on Google.

The feel of the video has a kind of dream-like quality and the Google employees are so earnest and passionate. It was both very entertaining, informative and provoked questions. The PBS website says this about the program:

"THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GOOGLE artfully explores the ethical and philosophical questions surrounding the work of one of today's most innovative enterprises. In this documentary, Google divulges its process of hiring the brightest in the industry and gives us a glimpse into its Mountain View, California and London offices. Vint Cerf, dubbed the "Father of the Internet" and Google insider since 2004, shows us the inner workings of a powerhouse company that began as a research project by two 20-something Ph.D candidates at Stanford. With its company motto "Don't Be Evil," Google appears to have the best of intentions. But some worry that Google is slowly becoming Big Brother, keeping track of users and making editorial decisions about the information it provides."

I really recommend watching this. I found the link on Google so you can watch it without waiting to see it on your local PBS station. Just click: "The World According to Google" for the program on YouTube, the program is 47 minuets long so watch it when you have time.

If you want a slightly different take on Google and only 9 minuets long check out this on YouTube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV2HcNta1gU and find out what "Google" means and why there is a funny story behind it.

Just so you all know, I wrote this post using Google Documents!

As a person to whom SEO, Google and Google Juice is very important, I say....Go Google!

Posted by Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent on 01/04/2008 05:44 AM

Comments (73)

google

Post is included in group: Google Analytics

73 Comments on "The World According to Google" Interesting Video

JAN

2008

I too love Google so appreciate reading about the 'movie.' Will watch it for sure when I can pry myself from my blogging website and Active Rain and research on Google. As for Big Brother, what could be worse than our IRS? Have a great 2008.

Deborah - Thank you for bringing this to my attention it certainly is a must see. Google affects our lives more than we might think.

Deborah- We cannot seem to get away from big brother watching now that information is streaming world wide. I will check out the video when I have time. Thank You

I don't get a chance to watch a lot of broadcast TV. Thanks for posting the link. I'll be sure to check it out. A big part of my day is focused on how to keep google liking me and my website.

I really don't see Google having any kind of 'Big Brother' affect. For me it's just a great information resource that also produces some great little utility programs. Thanks for the full show link; I'm going to try to watch that sometime this weekend.

Thanks for the link, I'll watch it in the morning with my coffee. -Virginia

Deborah, Thanks for the link. I will watch it later. I did not realize that Google held 60% of the market share. No reason that people are trying to make a presence on Google. Good Post! 8-)

Hi Susie, LOL I was watching it while trying to reply to comment made on a post I made on another blog! The reply was very involved involving changes to our contractor registration law, so it was tough to multi- task because there are NO COMMERCIALS on PBS! I wish I knew about the YouTube link so I could have watched when it was more convenient.

Hi Jennifer,yes Google certainly does. It's amazing that it is really only about 8 years old and yet we rely on it so much which of course is partially why some people are concerned with Google's power...may it always be for good!

Hi Mark,yes Big Brother is watching although he seems to be a Good BB, as his motto is "Don't Be Evil". Also, the George Orwell novel about Big Brother and a Totalitarian government has been turned upside down in favor of our very open and free media that is constantly seeking to expose wrong-doing on the government and Brittney Spears! : )

Hi Carolyn, I get to "hear" TV when I am working on my computer when I am not listening to music. Yes, I am seeking for Google Approval too, which is why I thought ActiveRainiers would be interested in the video.

Hi John, the video touches upon Googles' Privacy Statement, and they do seem sincere in how they use information for improving the searches. I love Google...it's like spending an afternoon in a wonderful library...you can chase down wonderful information so easily!

Hi Virginia, the video will go great with your morning coffee! : )

Hi Michael, thanks! Yes, it has a 60% share and it is the most popular search engine. The video is well worth watching because it give some interesting insight into what Google is about.

Deborah, I'm part of that 60%. I do all my searches on Google. They have become their own verb. I Google everything. Thanks for the link! I'm definitely making time to watch it.

Deborah, thanks I love google too, I will have to bookmark and when I have 47 minutes, relax and enjoy it. Thanks for sharing.

Deborah,

Great post. Thanks for the helpful links, I will watch it "when I have time".

Brad

I was hoping it would be on you tube or posted on the station. Thanks for the link. I watch very little televions and wouldn't have know.

Deborah, thanks for this link. I'm watching this afternoon for sure!

Seems like we are being watched every day now. Nothing is private anymore.

Thanks for your post Deborah. I've watched about 15 minutes in to the video and will be back to watch the rest later today. Very interesting.

Wow great post thanks so much for sharing I will look at it

Yes!! Google rocks. Folks who advertise on the Internet who understand Google will rock too.

Debra, thanks! I will definitely watch the show. Thanks so much for the link!

Now I have to go find out what 'Google Juice' is...I feel so out of it.

Deborah,

Thank you for sharing it with us, great post.

Manny Reynaldo - www.2bocahomes.com

That's very interesting and hopefully I can watch the 9 minute video. I thought their share was bigger tha 60%.

Thanks for the great info. I'll watch it. I use Google docs a lot, and have a lot of stuff stored there. I often wonder if that is really a good idea. One day they could just take them away.

Deborah, Thanks for the heads up. Google will continue to dominate our lives in many ways - most of them for the greater good.

Thanks for the video. I have only watched the short one from YouTube so far due to time constaints but what an interesting video! I only see Google continuing to grow, epsecially with many of the partnerships they have established with many long standing fortune 500 companies.

I think and hope Google will continue to expand and dominate the market because that is where I have focused my SEO. Time will tell if I've made the right move.

Thanks for the link to YouTube, which is a great video. I remember in 2000 when my brother in law told me about the new search engine called Google. I thought, what kind of name is that? Little did I realize how big they would become.

Hi Deborah,

Thanks for this link. We will definitely give it a sit through because we believe in Google too and would really like to learn more about it.

Thanks for the links. Appreciate it. One can never know too much about Google and how to make it work better for us.

Google is quite a success story. With their success and Internet dominance, they wield great influence over people. I hope they respect this power.

You people are INSANELY naive - google does not have enough competition. This idea that they can be your God, because they are a benevolent God is idiotic. They have way too much power, and power corrupts eventually. You really want to have to go through Google to see information that has always been part of the public domain - i.e. the same books you get from the library? - A PUBLIC place. Do you actually think there might not be a day when they CHARGE you to see that information - they OWN it (at least in digital form).

They do provide a superior product and they do deserve our patronage. But, if they don't get some competition soon, the anti-trust laws need to kick into action somehow, or we will find ourselves in a crazy place, if we aren't there already.

Don't do evil? Too late - they are already there and don't even know it. C'mon wake up.

Very cool - I will watch it the weekend. Thanks.

HI D, will try to watch it...this SEO is all new to me, and have learned a lot on AR!

What is and how do you write "Useing a Goggle Document"??? Please let me know. Happy New Year, Liz Carter

Great post...I love google...I do think they intend on getting into the real estate business in a heavy way just like Yahoo....until then go google

I am looking forward to watching the video...thanks so much for sharing this with us!

Hi Maggie, I'm with you, I use Google for everything, it's even my homepage!

Hi Missy, yes the length does mean it's something you have to plan for, that's why I wanted to give everyone a heads up on it's length before they started watching!

Hi Bradley, I know it's hard to find the time!

Hi Chris, yes, I was hoping to find it or at least an except so that everyone could take a look when it was convenient. Most PBS stations make their own schedules and you can't count on being able to find a program elsewhere, unless it's something big like a Ken Burns production.

Hi Linda, enjoy watching!

Hi Gary, yes we leave records everywhere, although Google uses the information to help with indexing and finding information - and us bloggers!

Hi Christina, I'm glad that the 15 minuets you saw makes you want to see the rest when you have time, it's worth it!

Hi Charlie, it's worth a look for everyone who knows that Google is important to them.

Hi Lenn,Yes! Google Rocks! Developing their way of charging their advertising clients only for the *clicks* that people make is advertising genius. That makes their clients advertising money much more productive since the people who *click* have an interest in their product. Not shotgun marketing, but targeted marketing.

Hi Dane, LOL! Have fun finding out...Google Juice is the what all bloggers are seeking and why we all want to know more about SEO so we can get more Juice from Google! Be sure to join the "Groups" here on ActiveRain that write about SEO, there are several, you can find them at the bottom of my post and *click* on the links and join them.

Hi Manny, enjoy watching it when you can.

Hi Al, the 60% was the number given when the video was made in 2006, so you are probably right that it is higher.

Hi Karl, I learned about Google Docs here on ActiveRain (thank you whoever I read that introduced me!) and what wonderful way of keeping my documents available to me no matter what computer I am at! I agree that there is always the risk of that, but Google earns plenty of money through their advertising and giving away free services keeps people coming to them rather than other search engines, so I doubt they would want to antagonize the people who use their free services.

Hi Bill, yes, may they always respect and pratice their "motto" - "Don't Be Evil"

Hi Josh, the 9 minuet video is fun, but if you have the chance to watch the longer one it is worth it. They are actually quite different POVs.

Hi Jen, don't you wish you could have known back in 2000 how important Google would have become? Whoo hooo....let's buy some stock in that company with the funny name!

Hi Lisa and Robert, that is exactly why I though that ActiveRainiers would like to know about this video, the longer one, "The World According to Google". We rely so much on Google that we should know more about it.

Hi Bob and Carolyn,yes, we should know more about Google, the more we understand the better results we can get.

Hi Wayne, the longer video does bring up that question, essentially with great power, comes great responsibility. If they continue to respect their motto, "Don't Be Evil" they will continue to be the Good Google Guys.

Hi Lisa, that POV is one that is brought up in the longer video, particularly the point with digitalizing public domain books. Again, their money is made through selling advertising more effectively than in the past. By giving away services they attract more people. If they were to begin selling their services, then people will switch their traffic elsewhere, and their advertising money would diminish. However it does not mean that it couldn't happen someday.

Hi Kevin,it's definitely worth watching when you have the time.

Hi Liz, Welcome to AcitveRain! Be sure to join Groups such as The Newbies Group, ones about SEO and blogging and whatever other Groups that sound interesting to you. Google Documents is found on Googles' homepage at the top under "other", click on it and a drop down menu and *click* on Documents. You do have to sign up so that you have access to what you have saved. It works like MS Word, and you can sign on to any computer to access your saved documents, no more having to email yourself or use a jump drive to transfer information!

Thanks for the heads up....clearly a show to watch. Very interesting company.

Hi Team DiMuria, yes, they might since information is their main way of attracting traffic. It may not be such a bad thing since access to information is the way of the future.

Hi Diane, enjoy watching the video!

Thanks for the link. i will have to check out the video when i have the time.

Hi D, looks like you hit a homerun with this blog :), thanks for the tip and I will check it out. I have put a lot on AR. If you need a laugh check out the one I wrote CLUELESS REALTOR, ture story of me on my fist sale in 1976. Happy New Yaea, liz Carter

Hi Julie, since bloggers rely so much on Google, we should know more about the company.

Hi Joshua, you're welcome!

Hi Liz, I will look for your post, I love a great story! You might want to join the "Adventures in Real Estate" Group and post it there since it sounds like a story that has an adventure behind it.

Deborah- Thank you for the heads up. I've bookmarked this so I can watch the video when I have time. Thanks again for sharing, I look forward to watching the show.

Hey D, just trying to figure out how to un notify me of new comments to your great post. It's such a "Hit", to many comments for me to read all :). I did check out the google doc. and thanks again for that. Don't forget to check out my CLUELESS REALTOR :). Liz Cartter, www.lizcarter.com, Houston, Katy and Sugar Land TX.

Wow, cool video about Google.....oh i mean Googol haha that is a funny fact I didn't know.

Great post.

-Chris

Deborah- Very interesting take on one side of google. There are always two sides to every story. I wonder at times if they do have a darker side. Who knows? I do not like the idea that they can filter the information so much like in China. The other thing I am concerned about is their goal to digitize every book in the library. Katerina

Great post -- and a "ah-ha" experience to watch.

Happy sailing ... _/) Paul -- www.eNewsletterSolutions.com

Very good post, gives you some idea of what they are trying to do.

This is a very thought provoking post. I will have to bookmark it and check out the video this weekend. thanks for the information -- I thin it is very important. I have been concerned about privacy rights and abuse by some in giving out the information or demanding the information form google.

JAN

2008

Hi Matt, I hope you enjoy the video when you see it.

Hi Liz, I did check out your post, it was very funny, and of course I couldn't not left a comment! To "Unsubscribe, go back to your last comment, *click* on "edit, then *click* on "Notify me of new comments:" to uncheck and then *click* on "Submit" and voila you are unsubscribed!

Hi Chris, Yes googol, a 1 with 100 zeros behind it! I'm a poor speller too, thank goodness for spellcheck!

Hi Katerina, yes, those things were brought up in the longer video, and I wonder too. Although I really do think at this time they really want to Do Good, and "Don't Be Evil". But leadership changes, agendas evolve, and fortunes diminish, all those things could lead to not caring about more than the bottom line, although they have an excellant bottom line!

Hi Paul, glad you enjoyed your "ah ha" moment!

Hi Chris, thanks, that is why I thought ActiveRainiers would want to know about the video, and watch it if they decide to.

Hi Joan, the video is very interesting, and does pose questions about privacy, although Google does seem conduct itself honorably, and is respectful.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments!

A few years ago Yahoo dominated the internet search engines. Now Google has taken over. In a few years it may be somebody else. The web keeps evolving and it is hard for any one company to keep up.

Hi Rob, I totally agree. I remember when people were all crazy about HOTBOT. Who on earth uses hotbot anymore? One of these days Google will cross the line and offend its die-hard users...somehow. Either by not growing or not growing fast enough (they can't win ;)). And Google certainly isn't infallible. I butted heads with them over my AdSense account several months ago, which was suspended for a *perceived* violation of their policy. Turns out I did nothing wrong. After my third or fourth threatening email from them, I pulled the service from my site. I could definitly see some of their autocratic rules becoming more "evil" than innocent no matter the intent.

But I digress- we are talking about the internet here. There will always be options and alternatives as long as there are individuals who desire them.

Its the closest thing to knowing everything. I usually say this term once a day..."how much you wanna bet?..your on!..ok lets google it!" GOOGLE, GOOGLE, GOOGLE...and big brother can check out what im doing b/c im not doing anything illegal especially if it helps my page rank! Thanks for link!

My brother told me something about Google. I didn't know they collect information. I am not sure I like that at all.

JAN

2008

Deborah ~ Thanks for pointing this one out. I sent it to myself to watch tomorrow with AM coffee.

Cheers!

Thank you so much for the link to the show. I am always looking for more information about the google monster and I look forward to watching the show.

Google is such a big deal that we have stopped saying that I am going to search for something, but rather we are going to google it. Amazing the impact has had on us as a society.

Hi Rob, yes, competition keeps pushing the edge out there and no company can keep their lead forever. Someone is always trying to do it better, that's how Google became the leader it is today because it did a better job than the existing search engines at that time.

Hi Darrel, OK what's HOTBOT? : ) See how right you are, I never heard of HOTBOT! As long as Google keeps innovating and developing new useful tools (for free!) they will continue to be the leader, that's why charging for services the have been giving away for free would diminish their market share. They make plenty on their AdSense, although there may be some customer services issues like the one you described, as long as they correct them (although they failed you ) with their customers then they will continue to have revenue and a healthy bottom line. Competition is lively on the Internet!

Hi Scott, yes, Google is the perceived arbiter of truth, although in the longer video it points out that the "truth" can be manipulated so that what appears to be the truth at the top of page one may not be the truth. Googling "holocaust truth" puts at the top of page one, denial of the holocaust, because of the way search engines look for "relevant material"; key words, linking and clicking - more people talking about the topic, a vocal minority. 911 has a similar problem because a very vocal minority of 911 conspiracy theorists post and comment a lot to promote their theories which gives them great Google Juice.

Hi Christy, yes they do collect a lot of information, they have to for the search engines to become more and more effective. The question is raised as to how much they need to collect, for how long, and is it being used... for "good".

Hi Brian, you are welcome, the video is well worth your time when you get the time, I hope you enjoy it!

Hi Laura, LOL, yes it's important to know and better understand your tools so that you can use them more effectively!

Hi Rick, yes, we do like to "Google it"...it's a fast way to find information!

Thanks for a great post! Will be watching it NOW!!

Had to bookmark it to watch later, but thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks for the Link Deborah, very interesting!

JAN

2008

Hi Michael, you are welcome! I hope you found it interesting!

Hi Ryan, yes, the length means that it has to be watched later when time permits.

Hi Christopher, you're welcome, it is really interesting.

JAN

2008

I find it funny that on my blog I ask if anyone cares if google snoops in their info and over 70% say "not as long as they keep giving it up for free".

Interesting how lax our "privacy" guard becomes with some free services.

Deborah, I'm convinced Google is the new Big Brother! I am looking forward to watching the video when I can find the time.

JAN

2008

Hi Reil, yes, "free" is an excellent marketing tool, and "free" also seems to soothe, to varying degrees, a suspicious nature. "Free" is always a lure for something. If you watch the longer video you will see that there are people who are questioning Google's motives, and though at the present time Google's motives seem innocent and the information gathered is being used for "Good", who is to say it won't change someday? The nature of all business is that all companies gain and lose market share over time as they innovate (or not) and keep or lose their edge. Who is to say with any certainty if Google won't change it's focus from "Don't Do Evil" to short sighted "We're Too Big To Care What Anyone Thinks And Do Whatever Brings In The Most Money". Of course that would chase away their users (and ad money) and allow another company to step in.

Hi Kay, yes the issue of Big Brother is the underlining theme of the longer video. However, the vary nature of cyber conversation brings transparency so if you Google; Is Google Big Brother? there is lots of conversation about this very concern. George Orwell's book 1984 was a world where the media was controlled by a tyrant government. But in our reality most governments are hounded by the media trying to expose any misdeeds, broken laws, tyranny, and so on so that in a reversal of the books' premise the government is constantly being questioned and held accountable. It is probable that all the cyber conversation about Google keeps enough focus on Google to expose and condemn any tyranny of information that Google may stray too close to.

FEB

2008

Hi Deborah,

I'm going to take a look at this as soon as I have a minute.Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

HI Deborah,

I use most of Google's products in cluding Google doc that I share with our team

Anne

Hi Deborah,well learned something else new today! You have to find the post you hit "Notify me of new comments" to undo getting the updates...thanks. I also now know I was not supposed to refer to my blog on your post/blog, sorry. Every-time I think I have AR all figured out, I learn something new, it's great! Glad to see this post is still going stong for you. My husband was from Seattle, love your area.

Spreding love on the rain, Liz

FEB

2008

Google is everywhere! Its widespread. the more you know the better off you will be .Thanks for the google

news ! It has been helpful - even here in Halifax!

MAR

2008

Hi Susan, I hope you found it as interesting as I did!

Hi Anne, I love using Google Docs too (which I learned about here on ActiveRain!) it's great to be able access your documents from any computer!

Hi Liz, everyday I get to learn something new on ActiveRain! That's why I love it here, glad you do to!

Hi Paul, Google is everywhere...even Halifax! : ) LOL!

MAR

2008

Nice post Deb... I just watched the video... Wow!

Hi Don, I am glad you watched it!

MAR

2008

interesting, i like to know the history of things. I appreaciate the links

MAR

2008

Hi Ross, you are welcome! Here is another program to look for on the Science Channel, and hopefully again soon on the Discovery Channel. It's called, "Download: The True Story of the Internet". It's a four part program and very good!

MAR

2008

Debra - thank you for the link to you-tube on google. I noticed that you posted on the "beginning of the Internet" i too saw that video. Its crazy how the Internet is a vital part of our lives. I will take time tonight to view the "google" clip. I too crave google.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Seattle, WA

More about me…

Realty Executives -BRIO

Address: 2370 130th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA, 98005

Cell Phone: (206) 618-0565

Email Me

Adventures in Seattle Real Estate...Exploring Seattle's neighborhoods or what I call Seattle's Urban Villages! Find out what makes each Seattle neighborhood a unique and wonderful place to live and make a home.

Links

Archives

Find WA real estate agents and Seattle real estate on ActiveRain.

Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.