4 ms·

Doesn't seem like a good analogy in either case. The highways are a shared public resource, the 1st page of google is just an ideal place to show an ad.

shuntress 6y ago
Google is the closest thing to a "shared public resource" for indexing/searching the Internet that we have. I agree with you that there are inherent properties of physical transit pathways that make them difficult to compare "one to one" with digital index searches. But I do not think these differences make the two completely incomparable. I completely disagree that the 1st page of google is "just" an ideal place to show an ad. While it definitely is an ideal place to show an ad it is also much more than that. That is like saying a supermarket that can give cash-back at the register is just an ATM.
- root_axis 6y ago
  > Google is the closest thing to a "shared public resource" for indexing/searching the Internet that we have. Being the closest doesn't mean it's actually close. The 1st page of google is not a "shared public resource" and not just in the physical sense. The roads are collectively owned by society and are designated and maintained for the explicit prerogatives of the public good. The first page of google is a privately owned webpage that many businesses rely on for increased sales, but it isn't even close to the only resource for society to search/index the web. > it is also much more than that Like what? > That is like saying a supermarket that can give cash-back at the register is just an ATM. This analogy doesn't fit. Cash-back is a negligible ancillary function of a supermarket while serving up ads is the sole business purpose of google.com.
- lotsofpulp 6y ago
  Analogies might be useful to illustrate an idea, but they are useless as evidence or for supporting reasoning. I find that they weaken arguments, and sticking to the relevant facts keeps discussions on track.

shuntress 6y ago

Google is the closest thing to a "shared public resource" for indexing/searching the Internet that we have. I agree with you that there are inherent properties of physical transit pathways that make them difficult to compare "one to one" with digital index searches. But I do not think these differences make the two completely incomparable. I completely disagree that the 1st page of google is "just" an ideal place to show an ad. While it definitely is an ideal place to show an ad it is also much more than that. That is like saying a supermarket that can give cash-back at the register is just an ATM.

root_axis 6y ago
> Google is the closest thing to a "shared public resource" for indexing/searching the Internet that we have. Being the closest doesn't mean it's actually close. The 1st page of google is not a "shared public resource" and not just in the physical sense. The roads are collectively owned by society and are designated and maintained for the explicit prerogatives of the public good. The first page of google is a privately owned webpage that many businesses rely on for increased sales, but it isn't even close to the only resource for society to search/index the web. > it is also much more than that Like what? > That is like saying a supermarket that can give cash-back at the register is just an ATM. This analogy doesn't fit. Cash-back is a negligible ancillary function of a supermarket while serving up ads is the sole business purpose of google.com.
lotsofpulp 6y ago
Analogies might be useful to illustrate an idea, but they are useless as evidence or for supporting reasoning. I find that they weaken arguments, and sticking to the relevant facts keeps discussions on track.