mediajunk

The inevitable has happened: a university in the US is offering an undergraduate-level course in all things Google-related, according to the Seattle Times: “This is a graduate-level course (albeit only one credit) that explores Google as a cultural phenomenon, Google the business, the technology behind Google — and ‘Google the Ravager of Worlds.’" I’m not sure what “Ravager of Worlds” is all about … maybe they meant words? “But the professor — an expert in digital reference and the use of Internet technologies in librarianship — also fears that the quality of research is declining. Instead of going to the library and asking a librarian for help, people rely too much on Google and other Internet search engines that are incomplete, he said.” All the more reason for Google to index as many books as it can? Meantime, the popular search engine has won a prestigious “Brand of the Year” award for the second year running (Reuters). Last time Google won the award, I reported that “Consumers respect Google for respecting them.” Of course, the Florida Update showed us that even Google’s grip on customer loyalty is tenuous. Google must remain committed to improving its service if it is to continue to enhance its brand.