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

By Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives -BRIO

January 03, 2008 09:44 PM

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!

Featured

Comments(73)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Sharon Terrazas

Advanced Real Estate Company - Beaufort, SC

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.

Jan 06, 2008 12:12 AM

Rick Marnon

The Michigan Group - Brighton, MI

Howell Real Estate Agent

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.

Jan 06, 2008 02:59 AM

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

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!

Jan 06, 2008 07:27 AM

Michael Sally

Victory Lending Group - McMurray, PA

Victory Lending Group

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

Jan 06, 2008 01:28 PM

Ryan Hukill - Edmond

The Agency Oklahoma | 405home - Edmond, OK

Realtor, Team Lead

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

Jan 06, 2008 02:56 PM

Christopher Currins

CBC Home Inspections - Godfrey, IL

Metro East Home Inspector - IL.

Thanks for the Link Deborah, very interesting!

Jan 06, 2008 03:43 PM

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

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 06, 2008 04:40 PM

Riel Roussopoulos

RealtyXL Marketing Inc. - Vancouver, BC

Real Estate Marketing Expert

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.

Jan 08, 2008 10:03 PM

Kay Frenzer-Zeeh

Buzz Marketing Pros - Chandler, AZ

Real Estate SEO

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 09, 2008 01:06 PM

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

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.

Jan 10, 2008 06:18 PM

Susan Peters

Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA

The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

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.

Feb 27, 2008 06:17 PM

Tucson Real Estate Experts Anne McKechnie

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Tucson, AZ

Previews Property Specialist

HI Deborah,

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

Anne

Feb 27, 2008 10:53 PM

Liz Carter

Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX

Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

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 28, 2008 04:25 AM

Paul Viau

Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog - Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog + Photo Services

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!

Feb 28, 2008 09:54 PM

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

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 02, 2008 04:51 AM

Don Wixom

RE/MAX Executives Nampa, ID - Nampa, ID

"Looking out for your next move..."tm

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

Mar 08, 2008 02:45 PM

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

Hi Don, I am glad you watched it!

Mar 08, 2008 03:57 PM

Ross Quintana

Real E Smarter - Spokane, WA

Real E Smarter Real Estate Coach - 509-362-1966

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

Mar 08, 2008 05:28 PM

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent

Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA

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 30, 2008 03:47 PM

Freddy Delgadillo

Judah Realty Group - Bellevue, WA

Real Estate Broker specializing Greater Eastside

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.

Mar 31, 2008 03:38 AM