Google- What Their Mission will Mean for the Future

Originally named for the mathematical term for 1 followed by 100 zeros, Google has been one of the foremost innovative internet based companies that provides search engine for the masses by, quite literally, a click of the mouse! Their mission is to make the world’s information universally accessible by creating products as simple and inclusive as possible.

So how will their mission impact the future of technology? It would seem that by making information so easily accessible, we will see a trend of more people connecting to the internet and sharing their thoughts, ideas, products, art, entertainment, etc. It’s incredible to realize what an enormous sum of information we have now on the Internet, but how that quantity will continue to exponentially increase. To what point, I don’t know. Therefore, Google also plays another important role in helping provide a search engine for people to find the information they are looking for. I know from personal experience that I use a Google search engine at least one to two times a day. Without it, I would really struggle to find the exact information I’m looking for on various topics ranging from systems in the body to restaurants in South Bend, IN.

Google’s mission for the future has already resulted in a shift towards the Internet as a primary means of conducting businesses, interpersonal relationships, entertainment, education and a great many more aspects of life. The growing popularity of social networking sites is evidence of the fact that society is already moving down this path of living in a virtual world. It seems that since the introduction of the Internet, each progressive generation takes technology to a higher and more personal level. Even within my own family, the Generational divide is evident by the way my family members utilize technology. This makes me somewhat intrepid anticipating how my children’s lives will be totally immersed in technology.

Taking this idea a step further, I wonder if institutions such as Andrews University and other schools will all be made exclusively accessible through the Internet. In that case there would be no need for a physical campus. Such a change would have both positive and negative implications. On one hand, it would tremendously increase the efficiency and cost of education as there would be fewer teachers needed. Also, the cost of running the facilities of a college campus would be eliminated. However, one could argue that the sense of connectedness with others of similar ages and academic pursuits would be eliminated. And in so doing, take out much of what college is intended to serve; an education that goes beyond a

Another potential result of Google’s mission statement is the continued amalgamation of culturally different ideas and beliefs. On the Internet, everyone has equal opportunity to broadcast their ideas for others to view and respond to. No matter the location, an individual from Indian can as readily post a video on Youtube as someone from the United States. Also, people in third world countries such as China are becoming more competitive in the global job market since they are willing to accept lower pay and can have their work forwarded to them via the Internet. While this has stirred controversy among the working class of the United States, it has also greatly expedited business as offices can forward their work to a person in a different time zone to complete. Therefore, work never comes to a stand still and business is no longer constrained by twelve hour work days.

Though all the mentioned above is primarily based upon my own experience and observations, I believe this is reflective of a global trend. That is, a shift towards living in a world made even faster and more conveniently accessible through businesses and organizations such as Google.

Acumen: Making a Real Difference in the World

As the company’s very name would imply, Acumen is a keen insightful business attempting to change the face of poverty in a non-traditional way. The company’s philosophy, as described by Seth Godin, takes to heart the old proverb that states, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he have food for a lifetime.”

Therefore, Acumen’s objective is to help equip individuals in third world countries with a trade and financial backing to start a small business. As Godin points out, when a tradesperson sells soap as an example, both parties are benefitted. Those who buy the soap can improve their hygiene and in live longer and healthier lives. Those who make a profit have money to continue making soap and providing a livelihood to take care of themselves and their families.

Interestingly, Godin points out that the typical way organizations have approach helping these type of people was to simply provide them with money or food every once and a while. This, of course, was only a short-term solution that had no long-term benefits. Instead, empowering individuals with a skill and financial help to start a small business has the potential to end the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life of many individuals. This, as Godin argues, is a more impacting, meaningful way to make a difference in this world. So, as Godin asks, why not join the team at Acumen and change the face of poverty.

After writing my last blog, I ran across this image. It essentially portrays how in decades past couples would often sleep in separate twin beds. Some would even go so far as to have some sort of wall-like structure separating them!

Better Night's Rest

Since getting married, I’ve noticed that sharing blankets with someone, like a comforter, while sleep in bed at night can be a real challenge. Without meaning to, one person may have the tendency to “hog” the blankets by pulling them away from the other person. This often times leaves the person without the blankets cold and lacking a satisfying night of restful sleep. My proposed mechanism to help deal with this dilemma is to have corresponding magnets in the desired ends of a bedspread and the bed frame. This would help hold the blanket in place while still allowing the blanket to be pulled off if necessary.

The benefits of implementing this tool would indirectly help many couples have a better night of sleep. It would likewise help those who simply have the tendency of kicking off their blankets while they sleep. As a result, individuals would feel better rested and would therefore make better employees, neighbors, drivers, spouses, etc. Another benefit for this tool is that some people may consider using less heat to ventilate their homes during the winter since they are less likely to be cold at night. Though this may seem like an unnecessary for some, for others it might make a tremendous difference.

What Money Can't Buy

The question of whether society should not only give a portion of their taxes to help the poor but also give of their personal time is an important question. In my opinion, it will not be until people are willing to give or their personal time and demonstrate genuine concern for those in a needier situation of life, that the benefits of tax money will make a greater impact. This is demonstrated in the fact that most people who are on welfare stay on welfare. It would almost seem as if poverty is a hereditary trait passed down from generation to generation. Though this is of course not always the case, I believe it is for many who never experience the influence of others intervening in their life to motivate them to pursue a different kind of life.

My husband and I often spend most Sabbath afternoons with a family of four kids from Benton Harbor, Destiny, David, Nay-Nay and Jay-ay. They live in an old dilapidated house with several moms, a grandma, upwards of eight children, and a constant stream of visitors so that the door always remains open, day or night.

Each of their minds are like sponges, readily imitating the attitudes and behaviors of those around them. They are each starved for a good role model in their lives who can grant them meaningful time and attention. Therefore it is critical for them to be taken out of their environment every once in a while to realize that they have a greater potential for their lives other than becoming a teenage mom or a gang member. Such realizations can only occur with the vested interest and time of those intervening in their lives, not by tax dollars alone.