Google Faces More Heat in Its Data Kitchen
November 28, 2009
Talk about clumsy. Read “Europe Should Take on Google.” The idea is interesting, but even more mysterious is the lack of pegging the “get Google” to a particular person. Sure, some government big wigs are mentioned, but I think that other cooks are in the kitchen. A political backlash against Google will enliven my blog posts, but I don’t think a government is going to be able to kill Googzilla. The effort may be similar to revivifying a dead carp. Why?
First, Google has lots of users. Take away their favorite search engine, and you have some excitement bubbling in a particular demographic. Who wants a bunch of children hassling their parents? Not me and I bet that few ministers are going to get excited about a company that indexes * public * servers. I may be wrong but hobbling Google may not be politically expedient.
Second, Google is cultivating an ecosystem. The world economy is not exactly scoring hat tricks. Companies dependent on Google may not be thrilled having their golden goose (no pun intended) killed. Who wants potential campaign pals becoming less friendly? Not politicians even in a far off, mysterious place like Europe.
Third, Google is effectively playing chess with folks who think they are playing checkers. A move here by Google does not compute for folks in the checker world. In short, trying to hobble Google might be tough. A good move in checkers can lead to humiliation in chess.
Bottom-line: Google is a different type of company. Killing Google with old fashioned weapons won’t work. Also, the Google is not exactly a start up. The boys from Mountain View have been working on the chess game for more than a decade. The checker game is over. The lights in the tournament hall are closed.
Stephen Arnold, November 27, 2009
I will be harpooned unless I disclose to the Community Fisheries Control Agency that I wrote this little article about the risks of playing checkers when one’s opponent is playing chess. Furthermore, I did it for free.
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