The Google Dilemma

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Citation: James Grimmelmann (2009) The Google Dilemma. New York Law School Law Review (RSS)
Internet Archive Scholar (search for fulltext): The Google Dilemma
Download: http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=james grimmelmann
Tagged: google (RSS)

Summary

The Google Dilemma arises from/is:

"the distinction it makes between objective “automatic” results from the computer and subjective “beliefs and preferences” doesn’t really hold up. This tension is a sign that Google and its employees are uncomfortable with the massive power they have to shape online opinion. They’re searching, as it were, for principled ways to use that power responsibly."

Author illustrates with 5 stories of Google searches:

  • “mongolian gerbils” shows their power to organize the Internet for us;
  • “talentless hack” shows how their rankings depend on collective human knowledge;
  • “jew” shows why search results can be controversial;
  • “search king” shows the tension between automatic algorithms and human oversight;
  • “tiananmen” shows how deeply political a search can be.

Lawyers, judges, and legislators also face the Google Dilemma, in deciding how to attempt to regulate Google. This, and varying Google responses, can be seen by searching from various jurisdictions (e.g., China and Germany).

Author concludes that search, and lawsuits about search, are inescapably political, which is a dilemma for Google and all of us.