I appreciate your instruction on the subject of
"monopoly", as that is a
useful thing for people to
understand. However, I would question that even
thinking in
terms of "monopoly" is instructive when considering Google.
You
say...
Google is under the microscope since they
have gained
a near monopoly in the search engine space.
While it is
true that Google is under the microscope
because some people justify that by
saying "Google have
gained a near monopoly in the search engine space", I would
debate the term "they have gained a near monopoly", stated
as a fact like you
do. I just don't think we can employ such
terms, when we are not compelled to
click on Google's web
page or click their search button. Like - the competition
is
just a mouse click away, in case you didn't notice!
I would argue
against the use of the term "monopoly" when
considering Google's position in
search. The word "monopoly"
is loaded with connotations that do not apply. I
think we
should just stick to "Dominant". Personally, I prefer
"Popular". Why
can't we just say that? How 'bout we begin a
discussion about Google by saying,
"Google is the most
popular search engine, therefore..." and go on from there
with whatever you want. It is bound to lead to more rational
discussion if one
doesn't begin using a loaded term in the
first place.
I don't know - if you
were the most popular kid in school,
would we say you had a near monopoly on
people liking you?
Sounds kind of strange.
As long as Google
does not attempt "total
global domination" by overt use of their monopoly they
will
be fine.
I don't like the implication of that,
because that
presupposes that Google has a monopoly, as I dispute above.
So if
it cannot be stated as a fact that Google has a
monopoly, you cannot continue
that sentence. Let us
substitute that phrase with a more accurate descrition of
Google's position, and see what it looks like
As long as
Google does not attempt "total
global domination" by overt use of their
popularity they
will be fine.
Hmmm... Sounds kind'a
absurd, doesn't it? How about a
beauty pageant winner that just gained the Miss
Congeniality
title as well, which really is a vote among the contestants
as to
who is most popular. Then we will say "As long as she
does not attempt "total
global domination" by overt use of
here popularity they will be
fine."
Really, I think we are better off avoiding using the word
"monopoly" and "Google" in the same sentence, don't you? [ Reply to This | Parent | # ]
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