Things You Didn't Realize Everyone Does

Google

Thought it would be only fitting to start with a post about my feelings towards Google. I, to put it bluntly, think that Google is the most important part of the internet today. We are all living in uncertain times, nowhere is this more apparent then on the internet. The age of the open, free, uncontrolled web is showing its first signs of ending. Google recently announced that this year they had a record number of requests from governments to ban sites. But in truth that's only part of the issue, year on year now at an ever increasing rate governments are pushing to put limits on the internet, to limit its freedom and openness by banning sites like pirate bay and trying to crack down on wiki-leaks and other sites they deem 'damaging'. Against all this stands Google. I know how that sounds and yet I genuinely believe that their ad based internet is the best way forward for the internet. Look at what Google has given us, the best mapping software ever released for public use, the best video sharing site, the best search engine, the best (open/free) phone operating system, the best web browser, the best mail client. And many more great features. And what have we paid for all this? Well we've paid in information, not money or collateral, just information. If a man said thirty years ago that he could design a system that could show you ever street in a city from the comfort of your home, and in return all you had to do is answer a few questions, would you have said no? We forget how much Google has given us and at so little a price. Yes, its bots scan every piece of information we input. But the bots don't sit and have a natter about your fondness for Glee, or love of Michael Bay films, they just process the data and target ads at you. Ads a great number of us just ignore. In return we are given free access to the greatest sweet of tools available on the internet. In so doing Google continuously sets the benchmark for how you use the internet, and have forced companies to adopt the same free to use system to stay competitive. It may be just speculation but would video sharing be free if it wasn't for Google? Would search be free? Would maps be free? I think not, or at least not to the same degree that they are at the moment.
Looking forward Google is heading into unknown areas with their own operating system, Google Glass, the driver less cars, and god knows what else. I personally believe that Google is entering into its most important phase, what happens in the next decade will ultimately decide whether Google becomes the dominant force on the internet, and in our lives, or if it falls as the Internets greatest victim.