Google cranks up the Consensus Engine

The Register ^ | 12/12/2008

[autumnraine]

Not so very long ago, Google disclaimed responsibility for its search results by explaining that these were chosen by a computer algorithm. The disclaimer lives on at Google News, where we are assured that:

The selection and placement of stories on this page were determined automatically by a computer program. A few years ago, Google's apparently unimpeachable objectivity got some people very excited, and technology utopians began to herald Google as the conduit for a new form of democracy.

*SNIP*

It wasn't surprising, then, that when five years ago I described how a small, self-selected number of people could rig Google's search results, the reaction from the people doing the rigging was violently antagonistic. Who lifted that rock? they cried.

But what was once Googlewashing by a select few now has Google's active participation.

This week Marissa Meyer explained that editorial judgments will play a key role in Google searches. It was reported by Tech Crunch proprietor Michael Arrington - who Nick Carr called the "Madam of the Web 2.0 Brothel" - but its significance wasn't noted. The irony flew safely over his head at 30,000 feet. Arrington observed:

Mayer also talked about Google’s use of user data created by actions on Wiki search to improve search results on Google in general. For now that data is not being used to change overall search results, she said. But in the future it’s likely Google will use the data to at least make obvious changes.

*SNIP*

Who's hand is upon the wheel, here?

[autumnraine]

I didn't find this in the search topics,but I wanted to expose as many people as possible in verifying what we all knew.

Ping to your groups if you want to bring it to their attention too.

[SumProVita]

Use THIS, rather than Google:

http://www.scroogle.org/cgi-bin/scraper.htm

[TLI]

Say, that is good. How the heck did you find it?

[SumProVita]

I’ve been using Scroogle since they empowered Chinese censorship of the Internet. Someone here on FreeRepublic shared it. I never use Google anymore except for images. Another search engine that is good and is continuing to develop and improve (which will not track your use) is this:

http://www.cuil.com

[ChetNavVet]

I use Wiki and Google, They are invaluble resources, as they at least give a good staring point on just about any subject matter. But yes, they are left of center, especially Wiki.

[Hardastarboard]

which will not track your use

I failed to realize this for a long time. I'm sure our President elect would not approve of some of my searches, and I'm just as sure that he'll have his hands on them if he desires.

I have also started using a multitude of different search engines to avoid anyone of them being able to develop a pattern of what I like to search for and thus develop a profile of me and what to potentially advertise to me. I also occasionally throw in something bizarre that's totally outside my realm of interest like yachting or quilting, just to keep them guessing.

[Woebama]

Bump. Looks good. Get rid of the ads and the tracking Google does.

[xcamel]

Drudge has it near the top...

[TLI]

Thanks, I will give it a go.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

RE: Scroogle, a proxy search engine.

Thanks! But it won't avoid the google boy's bowdlerizing. It's what the bleeping boys do. They can't help it. The boys can't help it.

I think that scroogle handles the user interface with google.

Scroogle protects the users from those nasty little commie tricks the google boys put into their software for the Chi-Coms. That's good!

There's still hope that one day, goo- goo- google, goodbye!

[HighlyOpinionated]

http://www.devvy.net/audio/

http://www.devvy.net/audio/dec08/communitarian_hoax.html

Listen to Devvy Kidd read The Great Communitarian Hoax. Hopefully this will come back into print. It explains exactly what is occurring today in the USofA and how Socialism is spread through Mandatory Community Service and the easy ‘jump’ from there to mindless sheeple accepting Marxism.

Scary stuff. Listen and learn.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

I use Wiki and Google, They are invaluble resources, as they at least give a good staring point on just about any subject matter. But yes, they are left of center, especially Wiki.

Haven't they found that Wiki is also riddled with errors? I thought I read an article about how college professors can now tell that their students are using Wiki for their research by the sloppiness of their data.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Thanks for the links to the alternative search engines.

[hoagy62]

I am afraid I am at a loss as to what this means to me. Perhaps my coffee hasn’t taken effect yet this morning, but I am unsure as to why people here at FR don’t like Google. I must not have been paying attention. (Yes...I do know about the Chinese censorship thing.)

I use Google Chrome as my primary web browser, although I still have IE on here, as there are some things Chrome can’t do. Since using it, I have had very few problems, it almost never locks up my computer (can’t be said for IE), and it’s very easy to use.

I will not use Firefox, since I’ve heard horror stories about how much it slows down your system...and because they advertise on DU.

[Gondring]

cuil doesn’t seem to allow the precision of searching that Google provides. That’s unfortunately, as it’s often how the best results are obtained.

[raybbr]

CUIL

I did a search on Patti Blagojevic and all the article are three to four years old. They don't have news tab. Not liking it.

[Technocrat]

I’m trying to develop a search engine that searches by meaning. I have the hard part done (extracting meaning from the text), now I just need to turn on the scrapers. If you want to see the meaning extractor in action, grab severeal hundred words or so of Free Republic text with Ctrl-C and go over to www.yooglisearch.com and click where it says “Click Here”

[Condor51]

It looks good. I bookmarked it.
Thanks.

(and who says noobs are a pain in the butt?)

Just KIDDING ;-)

[Condor51]

I am afraid I am at a loss as to what this means to me. Perhaps my coffee hasn’t taken effect yet this morning, but I am unsure as to why people here at FR don’t like Google. I must not have been paying attention. (Yes...I do know about the Chinese censorship thing.)

It's not just the Chinese thing.

Google's owner(s) are Leftists. They have a means of burying things Conservative or negative things about 'progressives'.

Google will also NOT accept any Paid Advertising from anyone or anything relating to Firearms. Ergo, Google is pro gun control and THAT is just too much for some of us. A last straw thing.

Its like me and Levi Jeans.
I won't buy them as they contribute (Corporate) to the gun grabbing Brady bunch and other gun control orgs. Since I found that out back in 1999 its been nothing but Wrangler Jeans for me. Plus Wranglers fit me best anyway.

Back to Google:
Personally I do use Google search. When I search for all things Guitar (online stores, instruction) or Music related (songs, TABS, lyrics, midis, etc) their results and Paid Ads suit my needs just fine. I also use Google Checkout. That's saved me a more than a few bucks the last couple years.

[SumProVita]

Cuil is still developing and is supposed to improve. If I recall correctly, it was started by some ex-google types who wanted something better.

I mostly use Scroogle....but check in with Cuil from time to time to check on its progress.

;-)