Google – Do No Evil – All or Nothing

Last week Google launched a version of Google Search for China. Amid the launch Google was upfront and acknowledged that there where some search types which would be “censored”. Then the blow back started. "How could Google do such a thing," people where asking. Googles stock price to an initial tumble but regained most of it’s price by the end of the day. Senators announced that hearings would be launched into how Google could so-called "compromise" their "Do No Evil" value system.

As I sat back and watched the goings-on I was intrigued in the "all or nothing" attitude people have been holding on this matter. I was very skeptical of people holding Google’s preverbal feet to the fire. It’s clear that people are not thinking clearly about the issues. People forget that the march towards democracy is a very messy process. It’s not ballet.

If we look back at our own American culture, the only thing that both Republicans and Democrats are liberal about is flaunting the greatness of our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Consider these words from the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

We forget that the people that wrote those words, also imposed slavery. We my have put out of mind that we placed most of the entire Native American Indians on reservations. We may forget that until the 1950’s, women did not have the right to vote. Put another way, democracy is a process not an event. We as an American society have gotten much better. That has been our strength. We continually strive for and make progress.

The above being said, in my view, Google really is living up to its value system, of “Do No Evil”. It appears that Google understands that the building of Democracy in Nations (that being the equal right and access to information) requires trust and time. We start in the center and work our way outwards over time. I would say that it’s a huge triumph that Google is in China. China is not just mouthing words any longer, they are taking action and on their own (perhaps uneven) journey towards building a democratic nation. It is a little disappointing that so many people are not thinking clearly and applauding Google for it’s actions in China. There is real potential there.

As Chinese citizens begin typing in questions and viewing search results, they will begin the process of making new connections. Perhaps having new insights into subjects that they are interested in. I find that it would be useful to stop beating up on Google and supporting it's direction. Trust should be earned, never just given. Over time Google has earned my trust on a great number of matters. We can give them a little breathing room and understand that maybe they themselves are in the process of growth and gaining greater insight into what it means to "Do No Evil" as a large corporation.

You can read Google's response on their blog. Read it and think about the words. Don't just have a "gut" (Blink) reaction. Have a Think! reaction.

// Jaye Morris