GMU Pop Culture Journalism

Feature Post: Is Google Polluting the Internet

Google “search engine is no longer a search engine but the most powerful commercializing force on the Internet and degrades knowledge while celebrating consumerism.” This was found in Washington Post’s blog post from last week. Melissa Bell reported on Micah White, from Guardian, and his opinion on Google and what it is doing to the Internet as well as society. His opinion was far from positive, being that he believes that Google is fully responsible for our knowledge downfall. “Google is battling to become the dominant TV provider. Its phone platform just surpassed the iPhone. It markets YouTube, Web browsers, e-mail services.”

In this post, Bell did not interview anybody. Instead, she read an argument that White had previously stated about Google, and provided that in the article. Since it was provided, she critiqued/analyzed what he said found where she agreed, didn’t agree, or what was questionable. I think it would have been a better interview if she had actually interviewed White because the article she wrote appears to just be molded around statements and opinions that White previously had, rather than specific question she may have wanted answered.

There is no evidence that she did any outside research besides what White argued, so honestly the feature doesn’t even seem that credible. Knowing absolutely nothing about Bell besides being a reporter, there is no extrinsic evidence as to why she would even be credible for writing this story. Also, what I found annoying is that White’s opinion/argument was only provided in a link, so I had to read his part before I could even form an opinion on this article. I don’t have any questions I want answered, but rather more visuals whether it was through pictures or just words, how Google is basically monopolizing the entertainment/technology industry. Everything she wrote was more White said, rather than studies, facts, etc. say.

In the first three paragraphs we are just introduced to Google and touch on White. Bell tells us that Google has dumbed us basically by making researching so much easier and therefore causing us to be lazy.

The middle paragraphs go deeper into White’s opinion and how Google dominates without putting her opinion on whether she agrees or if she thinks it is negative on society or not.

The concluding paragraphs questions White’s opinions as well as if Google is really the base of the cause for us becoming dumber. She leaves it with a question at the end. This is my favorite part of the entire post because although I agree, it does make you question and just think back to how different everything used to be without google.

Tags: Advertising, Google, Internet