Google and Political Opinions

[John Simkin]

Interesting article by Carson Ward:

Google’s influence on society is both unparalleled and poorly understood. At last count in September of 2013, the company served over 3 billion searches per day. Most of us use Google, and we’re far more likely to click the top few results. If Google is determining what we’re more likely to read, and if reading can change belief, then Google’s algorithm can change millions of beliefs daily

I myself have changed beliefs – and in one case my entire worldview – based on what I found through Google. I’m happier for it, but I can’t help thinking a few different top results may have changed the course of my life forever.

Most people either don’t know or don’t care how Google chooses results, as long as they find what they’re looking for. That might be fine when you’re looking for an address or a cake recipe, but are we comfortable with an unknown algorithm subtly influencing which political and philosophical opinions are most relevant and silencing opposing voices?

See the rest here:

http://highspeedinternet.com/blog/technology/how-googles-algorithm-silences-minority-opinions

[John Dolva]

There are alternatives like duck duck go and ixquick that have had gains in popularity lately because of the nsa. They basically don't record data from the search and allow proxy views. Given my interests I find those search engines deliver the results that are relevant (you have to spell the search correctly). It doesn't seem to preempt a search. Reminds me a bit of yahoo and others before google came along with their rapid vapid delivery.

[Paul Brancato]

Mr. Simkin - would you share the change in your worldview that Google brought about?

Edited May 8, 2014 by Paul Brancato

[John Simkin]

Mr. Simkin - would you share the change in your worldview that Google brought about?

A good example concerns Soviet spies working in the United States. I have recently been working on a page on Martha Dodd. I always thought she was unfairly smeared as a Soviet agent. Many of those named by Joseph McCarthy were just Roosevelt New Dealers. An example of how she was treated is an article, The Spy Queen was a Nympho, in Top Secret Magazine, that appeared in February, 1958.

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/the-spy-queen-was-a-nympho/

However, a search of Google brought me to Allen Weinstein's book, The Hunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in America (1999). The book is an analysis of the NKVD/KGB files. I ordered a copy and the evidence is clear, she really was a Soviet spy.

http://spartacus-educational.com/Martha_Dodd.htm

[Malcolm Ward]

There are alternatives like duck duck go and ixquick that have had gains in popularity lately because of the nsa. They basically don't record data from the search and allow proxy views. Given my interests I find those search engines deliver the results that are relevant (you have to spell the search correctly). It doesn't seem to preempt a search. Reminds me a bit of yahoo and others before google came along with their rapid vapid delivery.

I have been using duck duck go for a while John,partly through these concerns.And sometimes if I want to read something from another country,often the US,were it says something like it won't let me because of were I come from,I use this nifty application,and its free.

Safe IP,Hide your IP address and protect your online identity with SafeIP.

I can choose different countries to come from.I even used Vietnam once,and forgot to log off,and my Wife was none to pleased when Facebook blocked her because it thought someone from Vietnam had hacked her account.Its fairly quick to,compared to TOR.Only a negligible speed difference.You can get it here,For anyone interested.

http://freesafeip.com

Another one I use is Security Kiss,you can get free or paid,I use the free version that lets you use 300 megabytes a day,available here.Both are relatively easy to use.

Security Kiss here.

http://www.ww.securitykiss.com

Anything to pee off the Spooks.