4 ms·

maybe you consider these weak points in support of the argument, and I'm not certain I agree with all of them either, but its a starting point. here, first few

maybe you consider these weak points in support of the argument, and I'm not certain I agree with all of them either, but its a starting point. here, first few things off the top of my head: 1. highest market cap of a major tech company that is a) an important part of masses of people's daily lives, b) working on experimental projects that will not realize their fruits in the short term, c) has intimated a progressive vision for society. 2. has the necessary funds, personnel resources, knowledge base, and lobbying power to accomplish ambitious goals. 3. category definer for the domain of internet search advertising, which is actually a bigger deal than you make it out to be. this corresponds to a very basic human need: finding what you're looking for, including things you're looking to buy. 4. philosophically speaking, seems to have an actual grasp on what it is they are doing beyond the simplistic definition "making money" or "increase shareholder value". their actions are (if you believe their own statements about it anyway) guided by a coherent vision to "organize the world's information". 5. has already changed the way people speak and think about using the internet, which is the civilizational mega-project of our time that will have irreversible impact on human culture from this point forward.

ksk 11y ago
I guess then we first need to establish what properties 'the worlds most important company' would be likely to have. To me, the company would have to be firmly established as a key player in so many different markets such that if the company were to vanish they would literally be chaos on the streets.
- metaphorm 11y ago
  hmm, I think that describes something different. "the world's most indispensable company". google isn't that. not sure what is. maybe the big oil companies (collectively) are indispensable? that's kind of a shame really. no company should be indispensable. to me though, google is clearly important, in a historical sense. they are building things that change the world. they also seem to care (at least pay lip service) to trying to change the world in a way that is a net positive for most people.

ksk 11y ago

I guess then we first need to establish what properties 'the worlds most important company' would be likely to have. To me, the company would have to be firmly established as a key player in so many different markets such that if the company were to vanish they would literally be chaos on the streets.

metaphorm 11y ago
hmm, I think that describes something different. "the world's most indispensable company". google isn't that. not sure what is. maybe the big oil companies (collectively) are indispensable? that's kind of a shame really. no company should be indispensable. to me though, google is clearly important, in a historical sense. they are building things that change the world. they also seem to care (at least pay lip service) to trying to change the world in a way that is a net positive for most people.