The Cult of Google

     As we discussed in class, there are many ways Google policies will affect the way the online community views religion. Google's democratic approach to web searching that allows easy access to information based on crowdsourcing has its flaws. Wikipedia doesn't hold the most up to date and well researched information, but what the masses believe that information to be-- which can be a much different story. I held this in mind while reading the ten statements Google knows to be true, but I was unable to draw any significant conclusions about how their method of delivering information to the public effects religious traditions any differently than the rest of the information they provide.

     Perhaps that's because I couldn't get passed the impression that Google was laying out a doctrine of its own, and that's what I really want to talk about. In Google's brief philosophy they establish a belief system that appears religious in nature. While this system does not handle the typical issues that religions work to address, like the meaning of life or a point of origin, it does provide fragments of a world view, moral system and preferred lifestyle. In this post I'm going to look at a few of their truths that I find to be religious in nature.

1. Focus on the user and all else will follow.

     This first statement isn't explicitly religious in nature, but it's using rhetoric that is often used to draw people in to a belief system. In order for people to be drawn to a new way of thinking or a belief system they often look for personal benefit. The monotheistic traditions provide eternal salvation as the ultimate reward for holding their beliefs true. Google wants give us the same assurances about their philosophy-- their primary goal is to improve your life as best they can. Not quite eternal salvation, but probably enough to win your trust in their products and build their community.

5. You don’t need to be at your desk to need an answer.

   Here Google outlines the lifestyle it values. As Google paints it, the good life is one where you have access to the information on the internet wherever you are. You can access any media on the web from anywhere using their platform, Android.

     Other traditions provide similar lifestyles to uphold their values, whether through wu-wei, the middle path, reducing suffering, submitting to God, or living as Christ lived. Of course Google's lifestyle is not nearly as specific or demanding, but maybe that's because the traditions' ends are different. Christianity offers eternal salvation; Buddhism provides enlightenment; and Google works to put the internet in your pocket. 

6. You can make money without doing evil.

     This is a fun one-- Google defines what evil means to them. This truth in no way details a complete moral value system, but it does give us a peak at what practices Google find immoral in their line of work. The immoral consists of hosting irrelevant ads, hosting distracting and flashy ads, not clearly marking ads for what they are.

     If there are only three sins, it's easy to follow the rules. When I said a fragment of a moral system I really meant it. These few beliefs don't apply to the average individual but it's interesting to observe the religious language they use to shape their policies.

10. Great just isn’t good enough.

     The quest for perfection stems from Platonic thought. Google wants to leave the cave and realize the perfect search engine and the perfect way to integrate the internet into our daily lives. Of course they are not alone in their quest: salvation, enlightenment ect are all about leaving the cave and achieving perfection. All of the lifestyles discussed are means to achieve this end. 

    Google's philosophy isn't a complete belief system but it's interesting that they have established their corporate truths using religious language and ideology. Google wants your trust to provide you with the lifestyle they consider valuable-- and they won't break any of the three cardinal sins to do it.