Suggest This, Google
I knew it.
Google Suggest is quickly becoming my favorite Google tool.
Start typing a string into the Google search box and a cool list of AJAX-powered predicted finished queries are presented to you. “4 9 e” – ah, here it is “49ers schedule”. Very helpful. It seems simple and innocent enough.
But try typing “Christianity is ” or “Judaism is ” and you’ll see a potential problem. Offended much?
So why would Google suggest that “Christianity is bullshit” or that “Chinese people eat babies”? Well, technically they aren’t. YOU are.
Google keeps its Suggest algorithm under strict lock and key, however hints from Google insiders reveal that the suggestions are naturally what you’d expect – they are largely dependent on a search string’s popularity. Those offensive and juvenile suggestions exist because normal people like you and me have actually typed those exact words into Google. And it’s not just one person – tons of people are using that search phrase!
It’s hard to believe though, isn’t it? Are there really that many people searching for “jon stewart is a douchebag”?
Sprocket PictoPuzzle #1
With all this Mayan “2012″ and Apophis end-of-times nonsense, I thought we could all use a little brain teaser to relax.
The following 11 images are generated automatically using the Google Images API. Which image should come next? If you’re stuck, try regenerating the images for new clues.
For those awesome enough to figure it out, post a link to the NEXT possible image, and rejoice with superior laughter over your defeated peers.
Dude, Where’s My Null Hypothesis?
WWJD?
The indisputable evidence box was a conceptual mind-exercise I came up with a while back to test one’s ability to maintain justifiable skepticism. It’s like a pregnancy test for logic, except you don’t have to pee on anything.
In a nutshell, the test is to imagine a set of hypothetical evidence that is so overwhelmingly AGAINST your own belief system that you’d have no choice but to accept that you are undeniably wrong. The question is then: presented with this indisputable evidence box, would you abandon your beliefs?
I like this exercise because it’s naturally polarizing. For those with a strong scientific background, it’s a layup; the scientific method flourishes in this sort of situation where new evidence presents itself against a commonly accepted theory. But when the user’s response is fuddled, ambiguous, or even hostile toward the test, it’s quite clear that skepticism and rationality are not frequently-used tools in their personal bag of tricks.
The Google Fade — Stop Complaining
Google Fade
I don’t understand people sometimes.
Google recently unveiled a new minor design change to its famously conservative and minimalist homepage. In fact, it is so minor, many people fail to catch it the first time. Go to www.google.com to see what I’m talking about.
Did you blink? The logo and search bar appear on the page load, but the menus and links fade in once the mouse moves.
Okay, fine. Kinda gimmicky, but I applaud any excuse to flex some HTML5 (check out the source!). But god all mighty are some people pissed.
The forums over at the Google Web Search Forum are crawling with pitch-fork armies.
Like this monster. With over 600 replies, this thread is full of “annoyed” peeps, most of whom are demanding an option to disable the fade. And then there’s this poor fellow, who reformatted his computer TWICE, thinking he had a virus.
The 2009 Google Zeitgeist Is Here! Hooray For Data!
If you say the name three times, Michael Keaton will appear.
Tell Your Friends
