4 ms·

When I grew up, "searching for information" meant thumbing through boxes of index cards at the library, scribbling down book titles and Dewey decimal codes, goi

When I grew up, "searching for information" meant thumbing through boxes of index cards at the library, scribbling down book titles and Dewey decimal codes, going on a hike down the dusty shelves to hunt down the books (half of which would usually be on loan, in the wrong place or just lost), and then sitting down and flipping through your meager find page by page, hoping that you could find something relevant somewhere in there. The fact that this alone has changed into "type something into Google, get back relevant results in milliseconds" has already changed the world. (And yes, I know there was Altavista etc as well; but there's a reason Google won the search wars.) Also, compare these two for kicks: Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Goldman Sachs: Our goal is to provide superior returns to our shareholders. (http://manonamission.blogspot.com.au/2005/07/goldman-sachs-gs-groups-mission.html http://manonamission.blogspot.com.au/2005/07/goldman-sachs-g...)

Qworg 13y ago
Which of those two mission statements are more honest? I'm genuinely interested - I can consider it from both sides.
- jpatokal 13y ago
  Any company has a fiduciary duty to maximize shareholder value. I just find it interesting that GS seems to have adopted that as its only goal.
- marincounty 13y ago
  I'm torn too. I'm from the Dewey decimal system. I collected a library a reference books over the years, trying to keep on top of things. I wish I had the Internet growing up. I'm waiting for a young Einstein type to arrive, and see how he, she uses the gift of the Internet. And no--I'm not really impressed with what guys like Zuch are doing(yea, I kniw it was helpful in overthrowing dictatorships), but I'm waiting for something really amazing. A gifted, determined kid has the potential to do so much?
vasilipupkin 13y ago
Consider who the shareholders of Goldman are. Teachers' pension funds for example. Is it a worthwhile goal to provide them with superior returns so that their pensions are in good shape? Yes. Is it a worthwhile goal to organize the world's information? Yes. Let's not have this silly debate. Everyone should work on what they enjoy and find intellectually challenging and the world will be a better place

Qworg 13y ago

Which of those two mission statements are more honest? I'm genuinely interested - I can consider it from both sides.

jpatokal 13y ago
Any company has a fiduciary duty to maximize shareholder value. I just find it interesting that GS seems to have adopted that as its only goal.
marincounty 13y ago
I'm torn too. I'm from the Dewey decimal system. I collected a library a reference books over the years, trying to keep on top of things. I wish I had the Internet growing up. I'm waiting for a young Einstein type to arrive, and see how he, she uses the gift of the Internet. And no--I'm not really impressed with what guys like Zuch are doing(yea, I kniw it was helpful in overthrowing dictatorships), but I'm waiting for something really amazing. A gifted, determined kid has the potential to do so much?

vasilipupkin 13y ago

Consider who the shareholders of Goldman are. Teachers' pension funds for example. Is it a worthwhile goal to provide them with superior returns so that their pensions are in good shape? Yes. Is it a worthwhile goal to organize the world's information? Yes. Let's not have this silly debate. Everyone should work on what they enjoy and find intellectually challenging and the world will be a better place