What if we for a moment put capitalism on the back burner? Instead of clawing to stay the first and most relevant place to search for breaking news, such as google- can we work together?
Google adding ‘your world’ to the top of each search inquiry makes sense. Say, I want to research some reviews on the website Panoramio (which I did, in fact do earlier). I go to Google, and up pops a slew of websites- and at the top- a bar that shows a number of people on Google+ who have talked about and reviewed what I’m looking for. Supposedly, I would no longer have to go to twitter or facebook, ask, and then wait for responses. I can kill two birds with one stone. By going to Google, I can find legitimate reviews from sites like Cnet, but also from peers and other like minded.
While it was competition that drove Google to add this feature- it leads me to question capitalism’s place in the field of technology and social media- which are at the moment one in the same.
If you read Google’s reasons for every change and improvement- they will give the most elequently crafted statement about helping others, staying connected to the people you love, and the people they want to provide for. When you read about mergers between facebook and skype or separations between twitter and google, the motivations behind their actions are certainly not making OUR lives easier- the motivation is money and what is best for their company. and we are o.k. with that as long as they come out with a product/service we’re happy with.
The sense of urgency to stay relevant is perhaps needed in some areas. Should we start talking about the pros and cons of the Cold War?
What if each company actually followed through with their business motto? Would their be company feuds and law suits? Or would their be the freedom of collaboration and the calming air of the constant ability to create.
Facebook, Google, and Twitter must have realized it by now- we don’t care WHO comes out with it- as long as it comes out.
Inspired by: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/01/11/145039301/google-tweaks-search-to-boost-google-and-rivals-get-angry
