My reply to Daily Trojan Article
Of course Google has a blog. Google owns and runs one of the best blogging services around: Blogger.com.
In fact, collecting user data does allow Google to be very innovative. Already they’ve added many interesting, useful, and time-saving features for users willing to share data. For example, it’s very compelling to see graphs of my search trends over time. What I’ve searched for, and when.
Google is keeping ahead of the curve by analyzing large amounts of data very quickly. You can be sure that if Google doesn’t do it, someone else will.
For instance, why are you concerned about Google, who merely has your search queries, when there exists Facebook, a huge privacy concern that has nothing to do with Google? Facebook actually does have your personal data, and you can rest assured they will be exploiting it more and more, with targeted ads and personalized sponsor messages. These sponsored “news items” are already appearing in my News Feed.
And, of course, you can always opt-out. Clear your cookies after each session, don’t search while logged into a Google Account, and Google won’t know who you are. Then, search queries are used in aggregate, and aren’t tied to a personal identity. Unlike AOL, Google has never publicly released user search queries.
Also, Google is not the only company collecting your data. I’m sure DailyTrojan.com is, too. Whether the DT is smart enough to put the data to good use is a different issue. Therefore as a plea to humans everywhere, Googler or otherwise: Don’t be stupid.
I’ve worked for Google, but the views presented in this comment are entirely my own (they do not represent the company in any way).
1 year ago
Come out tomorrow to watch the #4 USC Men’s Tennis Team take on #5 UCLA at Marks Tennis Stadium at 3:00 PM. Both teams are undefeated in Pac-10 play, so this regular season finale is for the conference championship.
All 7th Man members with their shirts will receive free In-N-Out and Red Bull. If you don’t have a shirt yet, they will be available for only $5. The Trojan Marching Band and Song Girls will be performing at the match, as well!
1 year ago
We must be very careful about helping people who are losing their homes due to increased mortgage payments. The reason why the mortgage’s interest rate is low is that the house is collateral, and is sold for the bank to recoup their investment if the payments cannot be made. Allowing people to fail in meeting this financial commitment will come back to unintentionally (but very seriously) harm other, typically more responsible, people.
1 year ago
Sue Says:
October 28th, 2007 at 8:25 am
The most important reason why you shouldn’t pay off your mortgage, is chances are your fixed interest rate is probably lower than the current level of inflation. Inflation helps debtors and destroys savers. Uncle sam is the biggest debtor of them all and inflation is his favorite tool. My father bought his house for 80,000 in 1984, its now worth 650,000. The house didn’t increase in value, its the same house, the value of money has decreased in value. And if you really think housing is a great investment just ask someone in Florida.
1 year ago
How didn’t I notice this before? From the account of Jesus’ crucifixion in Luke 23:6-12…
On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.
What does this mean, why did they become friends, how is that significant?
1 year ago
We know that you know March 14th is fast approaching. We expect that you know March 14th is internationally recognized as Pi day and also the birthday of the dude after which the chemical element ninety-nine was named - the one with the hair (not the element, the dude). We fear you know not, however, that March 14th is also the 14-year anniversary of the Linux kernel version 1.0.0. Mere coincidence? We have no clue. We just sit here minding our own business, scouring the planet for things we hope you will enjoy, then we parade them in front of you not unlike this…
1 year ago
One thing I really want to do— maybe over Spring Break— is learn Cantonese.
1 year ago
