Interesting, if a bit low-key, conversation between Tom Friedman (NY Times) and Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. A bit like our own PDF MBA seminar, in Schmidt’s defense, it is very early CA time for much pep.

According to Schmidt, we’re getting a concentration of value and understanding in the Google era. It’s a little creepy sometimes to think about a future that can mimic some of the ways you can think, he says. We have a new “truth detector” a compendium of every word and deed that makes it easier to hold politicians feet to the fire. It will be a more reliable way to refute statements, voters will become more educated, choosier about what they believe. Of course, the unspoken concern is the unforgiving nature of digital footprints, although Schmidt conceded that at the age of 21 you should be allowed to change your name to get away from the permanent digital reputation system.

As Schmidt tells it we tend to erect stories where there isn’t a fact pattern. Once bias’ set it is very difficult to unset – particularly in a political context. Then everything confirms that initial bias. However, I have to admit to a great deal of discomfort with this statement, even though it’s true, since it leaves one with the distinct fear that we will never find a way out of our little echo chambers of like minded activists.

There was a discussion of governmental censorship in different countries, including the Great Fire Wall of China. The Bahrain election, people using Google Earth to peek behind walls of palaces of the elite, is a great example of a popular backlash that forced the government to reopen access go Google Earth.

Google Land questions: Q: Should Google be a regulated utility? A: We’re trying to be more transparent about how decisions are made inside the company. Globally, there are plenty of governments trying to regulate us – I would not encourage more of it. If you don’t like what we’re doing, you’re not forced to us it. Freidman also asked how one gets hired at Google – fishing for a job??

Interesting, if a bit low-key, conversation between Tom Friedman (NY Times) and Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. A bit like our own PDF MBA seminar, n Schmidt’s defense, it is very early CA time for much pep.

According to Schmidt, we’re getting a concentration of value and understanding in the Google era. It’s a little creepy sometimes to think about a future that can mimic some of the ways you can think, he says. We have a new “truth detector” a compendium of every word and deed that makes it easier to hold politicians feet to the fire. It will be a more reliable way to refute statements, voters will become more educated, choosier about what they believe. Of course, the unspoken concern is the unforgiving nature of digital footprints, although Schmidt conceded that at the age of 21 you should be allowed to change your name to get away from the permanent digital reputation system.

As Schmidt tells it we tend to erect stories where there isn’t a fact pattern. Once bias’ set it is very difficult to unset – particularly in a political context. Then everything confirms that initial bias. However, I have to admit to a great dael of discomfort with this statement, even though it’s true, since it leaves one with the distinct fear that we will never find a way out of our little echo chambers of like minded activists.

There was a discussion of governmental censorship in different countries, including the Great Fire Wall of China. The Bahrain election, people using Google Earth to peek behind walls of palaces of the elite, is a great example of a popular backlash that forced the government to reopen access go Google Earth.

Google Land questions: Q: Should Google be a regulated utility? A: We’re trying to be more transparent about how decisions are made inside the company. Globally, there are plenty of governments trying to regulate us – I would not encourage more of it. If you don’t like what we’re doing, you’re not forced to us it. Freidman also asked how one gets hired at Google – fishing for a job??

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