Since it's inception, google has been the darling of media and job seekers. For most, it’s a dream come true to get recruited to google. Perks range from making a difference in the world to great food.
Larry & Serge changed the world through search and did it with style and Ethics. “No Evil” has been the mantra for Google from it inception. Searches were impartial, even ads were sorted based on popularity. It truly was the new ethical world, with users driving it.
Ethics is a concept in real world. So is it on the web. In a true democratic system where anyone can bid for any word, companies started bidding for rivals taglines. It was easy for companies to show the ads when user is searching for competitor. Google was not doing anything intentionally, keywords were sold on an open auction, ads were clearly demarcated. “No Evil” prevailed within the company’s boundary.
The biggest challenge came with the launch of gmail. Google searched through mails to show ads relating to the content and many viewed it as a breach of privacy. Google again stood firm. They argued that any mail provider would have to ‘read through’ the mail to show it on screen. Google was not trying to understand the message; search was merely for the keywords. Millions of users agreed. After all, it was our “No Evil” company.
Eric Schmdit, CEO of google has defined 'Evil' on different occasions. Most of them reflect the generic idea that one mans ‘Evil’ can be good to someone else. He jokingly once mentioned that Evil is what Sergey defines as evil.
As an admirer of google, this definition was good enough for me. It changed when google started its video section and then later acquired Youtube. In principle, google is just a facilitator. Giving server space for users to store and share the videos. But the no of patented videos stored on these sites are so huge that the user will not have to walk over (or log on) to the video library or subscribe for the Channels on TV. Movies to Match highlights are readily available.
It may be wonderful for a user but the fact remains that people who actually put in their money and effort in creating the originals are deprived of their deserved returns. It indeed is shocking that a company which is a synonym for creativity in the internet world is failing their creativity. That in my opinion brings down the ethical standards of google to those guys who make and distribute pirated videos.
I hope Google will be “No Evil” again one day. For a company which stood up against the odds and changed the world, this is a small task. That is, if they really want to do it.
Wednesday 18 July 2007
Sunday 15 July 2007
7 online Wonders !.
It was the google era which started the revolution by handing over the control to users. From blogging to user ratings, it proved to be successful revolution. Users with the collective ability gained the influence. Creator didn't had the hurdle of depending on the perspective and ego of a numbered reviewers for publicity.
The chance of manipulation was always there, but it was believed the law of averages could nullify that to an extent. Wikipedia & imdb were my examples for the same. Though users can corrupt information, these websites have consistent information & ratings.
The seven wonders selection was an eye opener. To have the public who have never seen these wonders to rate them and then have the nerve to proclaim them as the new wonders was the ultimate fall of user rating.
More pathetic was the reaction of nations & its people to this campaign. When nations like India & brazil had mass campaigns to get on the 'wonders' on the list, the educated computer groups were busy making their own mail-chain campaigns to save the nations pride. The very idea that a user is sensible to take decisions went haywire.
The organizers perfectly blended the power of celebrities with the foolishness of the user by throwing a grant party to announce the new wonders!.
The lesson needs to be learnt from Egypt who openly resisted putting pyramids to vote and forced the organizers to move it out from the list. They can hold their heads high, like the pyramids.
The chance of manipulation was always there, but it was believed the law of averages could nullify that to an extent. Wikipedia & imdb were my examples for the same. Though users can corrupt information, these websites have consistent information & ratings.
The seven wonders selection was an eye opener. To have the public who have never seen these wonders to rate them and then have the nerve to proclaim them as the new wonders was the ultimate fall of user rating.
More pathetic was the reaction of nations & its people to this campaign. When nations like India & brazil had mass campaigns to get on the 'wonders' on the list, the educated computer groups were busy making their own mail-chain campaigns to save the nations pride. The very idea that a user is sensible to take decisions went haywire.
The organizers perfectly blended the power of celebrities with the foolishness of the user by throwing a grant party to announce the new wonders!.
The lesson needs to be learnt from Egypt who openly resisted putting pyramids to vote and forced the organizers to move it out from the list. They can hold their heads high, like the pyramids.
Michel Moore & Copa America.
Probably the only connection I can coin between Moore & Copa America is that Moore made "Bowling for Columbia" a year after they hosted and won this cup of prestige which is a famous omission from Maradona's kitty.
I join them together for another reason. Last week, I found two set of videos extremely interesting. First was Michel Moore's sicko & his battle with CNN. Art if not bettering us than what we are today is not of much value. In such sense, Michel Moore’s movie stand taller than any other movie made this year or last. His guts to take on CNN and to win it on facts should tell us a thing or two about the "most trusted" & other news channels in the US.
Second were the Copa America videos. Watching Copa after world cup feels like tasting home food after a year of hostel. The spirit and flair with which they play the game is a treat to the eyes. In an era where strategic football is the mantra, teams talk about beautiful football and show it on the field. It surely is real attacking football unlike the world cup.
Now, a look across the channels/websites over the last month gives me no such clue. Sicko, released and got probably 1/10 the coverage of a no-brainer like Die hard or Harry porter. Football enthusiasts are happy to see such brilliant football in copa, but it's just a local tournament to mass media.
Now, the talks are always about how media follows public interests. But who decides, rather cultivates them? Who decides people are interested more in EPL then Copa? Or sicko is less important compared to wizards flying on broomsticks?. News is decided based on importance, surely not of society and sadly by the flashiness and money on the market.
I join them together for another reason. Last week, I found two set of videos extremely interesting. First was Michel Moore's sicko & his battle with CNN. Art if not bettering us than what we are today is not of much value. In such sense, Michel Moore’s movie stand taller than any other movie made this year or last. His guts to take on CNN and to win it on facts should tell us a thing or two about the "most trusted" & other news channels in the US.
Second were the Copa America videos. Watching Copa after world cup feels like tasting home food after a year of hostel. The spirit and flair with which they play the game is a treat to the eyes. In an era where strategic football is the mantra, teams talk about beautiful football and show it on the field. It surely is real attacking football unlike the world cup.
Now, a look across the channels/websites over the last month gives me no such clue. Sicko, released and got probably 1/10 the coverage of a no-brainer like Die hard or Harry porter. Football enthusiasts are happy to see such brilliant football in copa, but it's just a local tournament to mass media.
Now, the talks are always about how media follows public interests. But who decides, rather cultivates them? Who decides people are interested more in EPL then Copa? Or sicko is less important compared to wizards flying on broomsticks?. News is decided based on importance, surely not of society and sadly by the flashiness and money on the market.
Nadal to Take them All?
Rafel Nadal's inspired run against the weather, schedules and above all Federer has been great to watch. It is a rare sight to watch a Federer final for 5.5 hrs. Normally they are as predictable as and much shorter than the Karan Johar movies!
I would leave you to decide on the "class" of the match. I was rather interested by the post match interview of Federer. Modest and simple, it was nice hearing him. He said he was happy to get this one, before Nadal Takes them all.
It may be champion’s modesty, but Nadal's impressive run can make us believe he can do that. He is just 22, already hailed as the greatest ever in clay and he is getting more and more impressive on grass.
It really is a long way for Nadal to take them all for the simple fact that though he is the only one to stretch Federer to 5 sets on grass, There are at least 5 candidates who can do that to nadal. Moreover, Nadal is yet to show the same class in US Open/Australian open.
The interesting battle would be to see whether Nadal takes the Wimbledon first or Fedrer takes the French Open. Here, we have to admit Nadal has the edge. For now.
I would leave you to decide on the "class" of the match. I was rather interested by the post match interview of Federer. Modest and simple, it was nice hearing him. He said he was happy to get this one, before Nadal Takes them all.
It may be champion’s modesty, but Nadal's impressive run can make us believe he can do that. He is just 22, already hailed as the greatest ever in clay and he is getting more and more impressive on grass.
It really is a long way for Nadal to take them all for the simple fact that though he is the only one to stretch Federer to 5 sets on grass, There are at least 5 candidates who can do that to nadal. Moreover, Nadal is yet to show the same class in US Open/Australian open.
The interesting battle would be to see whether Nadal takes the Wimbledon first or Fedrer takes the French Open. Here, we have to admit Nadal has the edge. For now.
Monday 9 July 2007
Alchemist : A good read.
Do u dare to dream?. If not, you better stop reading, for “The Alchemist” is a book as good as a pleasant dream and it talks about the power of dreams. Paulo Cohelo hit the pinnacle of his writing glory with this magical tale of a shepherd named Santiago.
Cohelo portrays the tale of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. The boy follows the first language of the Universe, the language of the Nature called “Signs” and ventures on his personal journey of exploration and discovery.
As each one of us, Santiago also has his on share on doubts and fears but the experiences and people he meets on the way helps to clear them and reach his destiny.
From the old women who interpret his dreams to the alchemist who passes on his wisdom to him, the novel is full of colorful characters. And the Climax is the best part of the tale !, I dare not disclose the story and in particular the ending, for it could play the spoil spot when you are going to read it.
This novel bursts with optimism from its start to the very end; it is a feel good fable that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. Coelho states that once you really wants something to happen and has the courage to chase that dream of yours the whole universe guides you on your path. You just need to interpret and not ignore the “Signs” mother nature is giving you.
Coelho also suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their dreams are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and unfulfillment. He suggests that once we start ignoring our intuition and the signs from Mother Nature, They slowly fade away from us. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies doing so, and ends up living a life of void
"The Alchemist" is a novel that may appeal to anybody who have dreams, and are dying for somebody to tell them that they may come true. Cohelo novel skillfully combines words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it a pleasure to breeze through this magical tale
Cohelo portrays the tale of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. The boy follows the first language of the Universe, the language of the Nature called “Signs” and ventures on his personal journey of exploration and discovery.
As each one of us, Santiago also has his on share on doubts and fears but the experiences and people he meets on the way helps to clear them and reach his destiny.
From the old women who interpret his dreams to the alchemist who passes on his wisdom to him, the novel is full of colorful characters. And the Climax is the best part of the tale !, I dare not disclose the story and in particular the ending, for it could play the spoil spot when you are going to read it.
This novel bursts with optimism from its start to the very end; it is a feel good fable that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. Coelho states that once you really wants something to happen and has the courage to chase that dream of yours the whole universe guides you on your path. You just need to interpret and not ignore the “Signs” mother nature is giving you.
Coelho also suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their dreams are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and unfulfillment. He suggests that once we start ignoring our intuition and the signs from Mother Nature, They slowly fade away from us. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies doing so, and ends up living a life of void
"The Alchemist" is a novel that may appeal to anybody who have dreams, and are dying for somebody to tell them that they may come true. Cohelo novel skillfully combines words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it a pleasure to breeze through this magical tale
Iphone and being cool
Apple has finally found the "Magic" for the market. Dare to Differ and make it cool. Ipod indeed has much intuitive interface than other phones and it does look sleek. It is indeed great that apple is revolutionizing phones as they did to music players.
I was wondering why majority is not proclaiming thing like "I am buying it for the improved voice message capability". How many of the queuing guys have an idea of what they want from their phone?. I doubt if they sincerely write down their needs of a phone, would they ever buy Iphone. But then wants and needs are always different !.
Watching all the hype and mania over Iphones just leaves me with one question : What makes people buy this gadget?. The answer is clear. It attracts attention. Isn't it an irony that the best of innovations has to bank on it's looks and style to sell it?. Sadly, that's how the world is and apple has learned the lesson the hard way.
Just 6 months back one of my colleges told me that he is geek as he has the latest ipod and camera in the market. Geek to a lot of people is having an ipod, surfing on the net and watching youtube videos.
Consumerism is based on the principle that people who are not head turners in any other way would spent money to turn heads. I strongly feel 80% of Iphone buyers are doing exactly that!.
I was wondering why majority is not proclaiming thing like "I am buying it for the improved voice message capability". How many of the queuing guys have an idea of what they want from their phone?. I doubt if they sincerely write down their needs of a phone, would they ever buy Iphone. But then wants and needs are always different !.
Watching all the hype and mania over Iphones just leaves me with one question : What makes people buy this gadget?. The answer is clear. It attracts attention. Isn't it an irony that the best of innovations has to bank on it's looks and style to sell it?. Sadly, that's how the world is and apple has learned the lesson the hard way.
Just 6 months back one of my colleges told me that he is geek as he has the latest ipod and camera in the market. Geek to a lot of people is having an ipod, surfing on the net and watching youtube videos.
Consumerism is based on the principle that people who are not head turners in any other way would spent money to turn heads. I strongly feel 80% of Iphone buyers are doing exactly that!.
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