Monday 16 November 2009

New Portal To Understanding

Millions of words have been written and broadcast about the rise of religion around the world, but rarely included in the discourse is the most powerful new spiritual force of them all.

For hundreds of millions of people there is a new portal of understanding, a gateway to the world, a tree of knowledge, a believers' bible. The legion of believers grows with every hour.

They believe in Google!

The word suggests infinite power. It is derived from a mathematical term, googol, which means 1 to the power of 100. The two visionaries who founded the company called Google chose the name to signify their dream of harnessing the immensity of information flowing through cyberspace. They have succeeded. This year Google will process more than 180 billion requests of information. It has become the world's most powerful information company. It has a market capitalisation of $173 billion. And it sprang to life just 11 years ago in September 1998.

Google inspires awe. It has been able to harness the wisdom of crowds, the collective effort of many people acting independently of each other, on a scale never seen before.

Because of Google, our species' capacity and need for co-operation is evolving into a new and higher phrase of social organisation. We appear to be becoming more like a giant ant colony, a multitude of individuals with a collective brain, and a single wellspring, a super-entity which evokes power, action and belief.

"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night."
~ Charles M. Schulz American cartoonist, 1922-2000


I wonder how far technology will advance by the time Joseph reaches manhood - Dee Why Beach Oct 2009

27 comments:

McMGrad89 said...

Yes, I am a fellow believer. It is the first place I turn when looking for information. Gone are the days of encyclopedias and the like which is rather disturbing when you think about it.

My students don't know how to use an index to find information in a book unless I teach them. I remember the librarian doing lessons with me and students before the ones I have here showing them where to look for information in an atlas, almanac or encyclopedia.

It reminds of a book I read as a kid (don't remember which one) where some children traveled to the future with a book. The future children looked at it with wonder and questioned why the pages didn't change and what a person was to do with the book once they were done with it. At the time I couldn't imagine such a world. Today I can as I scan the internet looking for the best price on a Kindle. :-)

HappyOrganist said...

I like the quote in your post. Now I can say (kind of) you made *Me laugh.
Thanks =)


cherio!

Bagman and Butler said...

Google is indeed awe-inspiring. I also recently saw a program on Discovery Channel -- "Extreme Workplaces" about the office environments at Goodle's various locations. Incredible amenities for the workforce.

Christine said...

Yes, Peggy I am also in awe of google and worship at its 'altar' daily (-:

Zz... said...

haha fun post! I am a googlephile but I think wikipedia is my no1!

Anonymous said...

"In the beginning was the word – and someone Googled it" (!)

You are right Peggy - Google is like the Oracle of Delphi. Sometimes its answers are vague and mysterious - sometimes spot on.

I have heard an interesting slip of the tongue quite a few times now (or is it deliberate?) I hear people saying "I'll goggle it"

Curious eh? Goggle – to look at combined with Google. Isn't language fascinating?

Hybrid J said...

Google ... what should I say ... can't do without it! :)

And grateful for your continuous support and encouragement - both to my blog and NaNo! A big hug to you. :D

Mike Smith said...

There used to something therapeutic about making the effort to look something up in a book. Or am I just getting old?!

Silver said...

It's true. And children are so smart today. They have so many questions that makes me feel so dumb. Guess that's when Google becomes indispensable.

Btw.. this blog is really about Joseph, doesn't it? (And i thought i was the only one obsessed.. oops, i mean, focused!)

love & hugs
~Silver

Silver said...

hey peg.. this little guy doesn't have one picture which isn't nice, does he? He is too handsome!

love&hugs
~Silver

TheChicGeek said...

Maybe Schultz needs to google his question, Peggy :) LOL
I google everything! It is amazing how much information is out there in cyberspace :)

Ahhh, Joseph looks so cute!!!! Love the pic of him and I love this pic below with you with the alligator! Very cool!

I have given you a very deserved award over at my blog. I hope you LOVE it!
Hugs :))
Kelly
xxO :))

Debra said...

Google is something that I don't think I ever even imagined in my wildest dreams! I wonder what precious Joseph will be able to create with his mind, someday!

Hugs and love,
Debbie

mermaid said...

Sometimes I take technology for granted, and see it as a purely technical entity. Thank you for reminding me that without it, I would not be here sharing and receiving from the world of bloggers.

Renee said...

Peggy I love the new banner, super.

I have to tell you I was so interested and then when I read google, well, then I just laughed.

You are so darling sweet Peggy and thank you for your kind words to me.

Love Renee xoxo

Marja said...

Lol google is indeed impressive bringing so much to so many and it is ever growing Can't imagen what it would like be in 10 years time

Silver said...

:) i am loving Thunder Horse's free Spirit!

love,
~Silver

Beth Niquette said...

Oooh, that was just too funny! I LOVE it! Thank you for sharing your thoughts--I found them fascinating, humorous and fun.

Nina said...

I bow to the power of Google. It brings humankind together in a way never before possible. (smiles) It brings you to thousands of people and it brings me to you one cyber link at a time. Imagination is still the key to infinity and the future is bright.... We must believe so it will be so. Blessings to you and yours. Love and Light, Nina P

Unknown said...

i would be lost without google....I use it daily to fill my brain with useful and useless facts

Anonymous said...

I agree and fully embrace any technology that brings people from various parts of the world closer together. It will be fascinating to see what technology emerges in the future.

I hope that you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving.

McMGrad89 said...

Still can't find that book, either.

Roban said...

As an English teacher, I'll be the first to admit that 'google' is both a noun and a verb. I tell my students to "google it" when they need information. And I can't tell you how many times I've googled math concepts in the middle of "helping" Hannah with homework!

It's much more than a search engine, though.... Kind of scary sometimes. Just wish I owned some of the stock!

xxx said...

Great post!

I believe that whatever we imagine for our future contributes to creating our future.
Just wish I had have been part of the 'google imagining team' :)

best wishes
Ribbon

xxx said...

PS... lov the sculpture by the sea shot on your header :)

Kat Mortensen said...

Hi Peggy!

I love that Schultz quote. How true!
I'm also loving the statuary in your header. Fantastic!

Sorry I haven't sent you my address yet. I will get that to you very soon.

Peace and Love and Thanksgiving (even though we celebrated back in October).

Kat

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

It really is amazing how far technology has come and just how far behind I am in the knowledge thereof. HA! I'm happy to know what I do know to get me through the day and to participate in this world of blogging. Thanks for visiting me and for viewing my scrapblogs. I don't find enough time for that, but keep up with my blogging every day. It inspires me to do more with each day, that's for sure. I enjoy coming to your blog as I can actually hear your music. Playlist doesn't work over here anymore and that's what most blogs have. It is time for a revamp of my blog and new music to boot. That all takes time. Hope all is well in your corner of the world. Blessings, :) Tammy

Sarah Lulu said...

I admit to loving googling!

xx