Power Button on Mac

Power

Posted on by The Grumpy one

The Power of Google. Have you ever considered where power is held. Power, not in the form of Electricity or gas, but in influence and control.

In the past, I would have considered that our Government had power. After all, they control budgets, public services, defence, health, and schools. In todays world, I do not consider this to be the true powerhouse any more.

Gobal

The world that we live in today is truly global. Rightly or wrongly, some of the true powerhouses are now business organisations. Power is derived more from the control of information than how much money is in the bank.

Consider the likes of IBM, Microsoft and Apple. All these companies either store and use your data or provide the systems to do so. They are private organisations with so much data and power. There are so many more.

Of all the companies today, I believe there is just one that is all encompassing. That organisation is probably the one that brought you to this page; Google.

Google

On the face of it, Google looks simple. However, the power and control behind that simplicity is truly frightening.

What leads me to suggest this fear? Whilst Google does not directly store the information that you want, it does hold the keys to the filing cabinet.

Think about it. Recent statistics suggest that Google has 90% of the global market share for internet searches. Assuming that statistic is true, then Google truly has power.

It has power because it makes decisions on what you see and what you don’t! If Google decides it does not want to tell you about a website, it is unlikely you will ever find it. The ramifications of that power are truly immense.

Comfort

I am unsure that I can say that I am comfortable with just one organisation having so much control. It is likely that if this size was the result of 2 companies merging in the UK, it would not be considered in our best interest. The merger would likely be blocked. So why do we accept it?

I guess we accept it because it is easy. One place that we can go for any information. It has been added to the Oxford English dictionary. The English language embraces Google.

I hope my concern is unfounded. Perhaps the algorithms that Google uses are perfectly acceptable. However, the potential for control exists.

Reference

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Written Word

The English Language

Posted on by The Grumpy one

I recently read a new blog and it made me realise how rich the English language is.

The blog (a journal from England) is new. New not only in the time that it has been online, but for its style.

Upon discovery of the first entry, I was thoroughly absorbed. Not only by the topic, but also by the style and vocabulary.

The writers command of the English language is sublime. It makes me feel inadequate when I compare with my own. Words and phrases seem to come easily to the writer.

Knowing that individuals with such skill exist is comforting. Assurance that the English language, in all its richness, is in safe hands is warming.

Reflection

As always, it does raise questions in my mind. Why is the English language so misused? What has caused people’s vocabularies to shrink so much?

There can surely be no single reason for the decline in the English language. It is likely than many people would blame the politicians. Perhaps the education system is under performing. Technology and the internet may not be blameless. Cultural diversity. Who knows?

Does it matter?

Perhaps it doesn’t really matter. As I have written many times, the speed at which we live our lives today is so fast. Everyone is starved of time for creativity. How many of us pause long enough to be unnecessarily creative with our words?

I believe however, that it matters. It matters greatly.

English is an historic language. Perhaps the most historic of all. Would it not be a great crime if we let the fullness and richness be lost forever?

Enjoyment

I do not claim to have a flair for writing. Nor do I claim to have the best range of vocabulary. Perhaps slightly above average at most. However, when I sit down to write one of these blogs, I experience much joy. The art of creating a text worthy of reading is a challenge. A challenge that I hope one day to achieve.

Writing is a simple, historic pleasure. An art form to be enjoyed both in the writing and hopefully the reading.

The written word remains a critically important form of communication. Let us not only utilise it, let is also enjoy it.

Reference

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Mobile Phones

Phones in pubs

Posted on by The Grumpy one

I have written in the past about being present and being in the moment. One of the obstacles are mobile phones. For me, mobile phones in pubs can destroy the reason for being there.

Background

Not so long ago, whilst sitting in the pub, I witnessed a sight that really depressed me.

The sight was a scene that should be joyful. A family spending time together. A family out for Sunday lunch. All should be good.

Sadly, not one of the four family members was in the room. Why? Because each and everyone of them was tapping away on their mobile phones.

This can only be considered as a missed opportunity. An opportunity for the family to spend quality time together. To be a unit. Time to talk and bond. A couple of hours where the priority is the family.

Is it right?

I consider this to be such a waste. More than a waste. It is also a sad reflection on todays society.

I could almost excuse the children. They perhaps know nothing better. The children learn what is acceptable from their parents.

The age of the parents and of mobile phones would suggest to me that they would know better. They would have lived before the scourge of the mobile phone arrived.

Whilst it is totally true that the mobile phone is revolutionary and brings many positives. Misuse is becoming so prevalent.

Widespread

The problem is so much more widespread and this is not an isolated occurrence. Only yesterday, whilst drinking with two friends, it happened again. One of my friends was consistently on his phone. He may as well not have been there. There were only two people in the conversation. Shame.

This problem can be seen in so many places. I consider it rude. I consider it disingenuous to those who have elected to spend time with the individual.

As a society, I think the the mobile phone is becoming toxic. We need to act. Why do we elect to be with one set of people whilst talking to others? Let us all be present in the room. Show respect to the people we are with.

Surely this is just good manners.

References

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