The Googlization of Everything

In the comments below, Nick Krumholz expresses concerns that I have been too harsh about Google and have been writing as if there is a conspiracy afoot:

I read this blog quite often (I have subscribed to it) and it always seems to me to have a "conspiracy theorist" tone to it. What in the past 10 years or so (based on when you want to say Google was founded) have you seen them do that makes you so worried?? I have seen them stick up for the right (correct) things, even under intense pressure. There are other companies out there that have failed on many levels and you don't even glance at them.

Here is my reply:

Dear Nick,

I hope I have not come across as one who would spread conspiracy theories. That's certainly not how I think.

Everything you wrote above about Google is correct. I have said as much myself.

I like how you describe Google as "a company that has it together."

That could not be more true and accurate!

I am more interested in whether we have it together. I suspect we do not. Google is doing everything it should do to serve its stockholders and consumers.

I just want us to realize that we are neither. this is a new and fascinating relationship between a firm and the public.

So my fundamental goal (blog, articles, talks, book, etc.) is to understand the nature of that relationship and account for all its positive and negative externalities.

And if I get a bit sloppy or angry, I hope you and others talk me down and correct my excesses. That's why I chose to do this blog. Left to my own devices and the privacy of my own writing room I could go too far.

As far as the book search project, I am much more critical of the public university libraries that have chosen to give away so much to Google without asking hard questions or making firm demands.

Generally, though, I am critical of the unabashed worship of this company and its role in our lives.

That's not conspiratorial. It's critical.

I would add that I have been nothing but glowing in praise about the Google phone initiative. And I have expressed concerned neutrality about the purchase of DoubleClick.

In general, I am in awe of Google and its projects. That's why I chose it as a subject. Writing a book about how Yahoo fails so often and turns in democracy activists to be tortured by the Chinese government would be really boring.