Too Googlicious for Its Own Good

Everybody loves Google. We love the accurate results, the bountiful email, the white space, the advertising soft sell. Most people love their stock (except for shmoil, who sold short). Even some of their other gizmos, like Google Earth, are admittedly cool, even when there's not really a point to them. This site, if you didn't know, is hosted free of charge by Google.

But I think they've reached the breaking point.

Google is now a big, publicly held company that must continue to grow and hit targets (really, they have to exceed targets) to keep the stockholders happy. They started out as a search engine, specializing nicely into the economy. Now they're trying to do everything, and while a lot of it is useful, some of it makes me think they're going too far.

Back in August, a CNET reporter wrote an article on Google's powerful reach and associated privacy concerns. To illustrate his point, he Googled Eric Schmidt, Google's CEO, and published his home address, salary, and other personal info that he found using the search engine. Google responded by issuing a statement that they would not talk to CNET for a year. Don't dish it out if you can't take it, boys.

Secondly, their desktop search feature basically goes through all your computer files and email accounts -- and bypasses passwords in the process. What's the point of passwords if this thing can beat them?

Finally, right now Google is positioning itself as the Napster of books. They're currently scanning in several major college libraries without regard for copyright. Basically, they're stealing. Now I suspect my readers have all done their fair share of illegal downloading, but there are major differences between books and music. First, of course, I'm a writer and I want to continue to be paid the tiny shares that I get for my work. Secondly, the CD industry was ripping off people for years--as technology improved and the products should have been cheaper, they raised prices. Famous musicians also make a lot more money than famous authors and people generally buy more music than books--it's a smaller industry that can't withstand the Google Smush the same way.

Fortunately, I don't think Google will get that far with their print-stealing program due to the nature of the beast. Reading long segments online sucks -- it hurts the eyes, it's hard to concentrate, it's no fun to carry around a big laptop with you everywhere you go. Still, it's kind of sad to watch Google outgrow its coolness, its friendliness. Could (gasp!) craigslist be next?