The SF Chronicle published an article (by Verne Kopytoff, Saturday, January 7, 2006) about Google and Yahoo unveiling some more Big plans at the Consumer Electronics Show happening in Las Vegas, city of lights, roller coasters, hopes and disappointments. The focus of the article was on the intentions of these 2 Giants increasing their market share in delivering content to users.

I have mixed thoughts about this. Why do I want additional ways to see TV network programming? or to see archived Brady Bunch and I Love Lucy shows? Not too long ago, the search engines were being championed as portals to finding information that wasn’t available on network TV. They had some status as “gatekeepers” to media created by and for anyone interested in non-Big Business biases. Granted, it isn’t all good and, yes, you have to check your facts and references twice, i.e. use the ole noggin’ to get better informed (whew! what a concept!)

We’ve known for quite some time that the Media powers that be are, in fact, a very small group of people whose interests are rather, shall we say, self-promoting (to the benefit of those who already have.) We’ve known for quite some time that there is no such thing as unbiased media–whether it be the preconceptions and mental limitations of the reporter or, even more powerful, the slants of the editors. The decision to choose what to print and what not to print is HUGE, it is precisely what validates concepts, allows for stolen elections, and justifies wars. And it is out of the hands of the Common Good. geez this riles me up!!!! [side note on one man’s understanding of government’s role in discouraging independent media comes from none other than Ted Turner, founder of CNN.]

Ok, take a deep breath in. deep breathe out.

There is so much “noise” around us. So much bombardment of irrelevant and superfluous information. So much to sort through, so much demanding instantaneous decision of the question, “is this relevant or irrelevant to my purpose?” the answer is usually, “irrelevant,” (if an answer is even made) but how energy went to having to make that distinction! No Wonder there is so much “check-out,” so much overwhelm, so much numbness.

My final thought on all this: I see Google and Yahoo’s push into the business of media delivery as more “noise” to avoid. In Ted Turner’s article referenced above, he writes, “When you lose small businesses, you lose big ideas.” This more or less sums up my thoughts about Google right now–they are establishing themselves as one of the “Big Boys” on the block and moving in right next door to the Jones’s. Next time you find yourself downloading another video rerun how about going for a walk instead?

[Side note to provide alternatives to Big-Business owned media, if you want to check out some world news and aren’t sure where to start looking, try Independent Media Center or listen to Amy Goodman on “Democracy Now”, or Pacifica Radio, or individually run news collectors like Global Issues.]