State of the Internet: We’re Screwed, maybe

Looking at the state of the internet today, the first thing that comes to mind is we’re screwed. Sorry for the language but I can’t believe what’s happening to the web, and neither can I think of a better word to describe it.

Please let me explain. For example, consider the following.

The once highly touted Google standards are gone:

What was once considered to be the unthinkable, Google is now intentionally screwing with search results.

On Google’s website it lists “Ten Things We Know to Be True”. According to Google:

“users trust our objectivity and no short-term gain could ever justify breaching that trust”

Of course we now know this is no longer true. So the question remains if Google can renege on it’s chief tenet of untampered, impartial search results can we “trust” it to keep our personal information private … forever. Or will it change its mind on that too? Good question.

Let’s Play Follow the Leader:

Remember the story of the Pied Piper? Almost without exception, the so-called “influencers” are internet marketers. The clever rascals have managed to manipulate themselves to celebrity status in social media.

As you travel the web you need to be mindful there are wolves preying on your heart, soul and pocketbook. So ask yourself this: Can you ‘trust’ an “influencer” whose bottom line is to seek fame and fortune? Or are you being manipulated by carefully crafted keywords, wizbang copywriting and sensationalist headlines. Think about it.

Don’t follow the leader. BE the leader.

Privacy has become a Dirty Word:

Google’s vision of a social web is in reality an Anti-Privacy movement that is being fed by Larry Page’s obsession to beat Zuckerberg at his own game.

Not only are privacy advocates being marginalized as quacks these days, but social media users are flaunting they don’t even care about online privacy. Really? I’m sure Zuckerberg won’t complain as Google leads the charge.

If that’s true you might as well undress yourself in your neighbor’s house because it’s no different online. If you don’t believe me then read this.

There is a mighty tug of war going on between business interests and the government for who will ultimately control the internet:

As always it is the little people (that is to say you and me) who are caught in the middle. Believe it or not it’s still your choice if you don’t want to be their pawn.

So who will win the war? It’s up to you…

Be a Good Net Citizen and Help Stamp out ‘Trolling’.

You may have noticed a trend that you cannot (God forbid) contradict your favorite a-lister without being labelled a troublemaker. They will shut you out of their old boyz network with extreme prejudice if you don’t play their game.

They use tactics to put asunder dissent not unlike those despots that we read about in the history books. But in the world of social media they like to refer to themselves as the “influencers“, and we know who they are don’t we.

That crazy mentality was reinforced last year by Google’s draconian policy against pseudonyms on it’s Google+ network, justifying it’s decision as an attempt to stop trolling. We know of course that is pure nonsense and was just an excuse to obfuscate the fact it is really about making it’s advertising more marketable.

Believe it.

You can’t make this sh** up. Believe me I’ve seen it all, and rest assured one day you will wake up and ask yourself where did the time web go.

Case in point: If you are a student of history you will know that Hitler didn’t become dictator overnight. It took him years to seize power in small steps. They’re doing the same thing with the internet. Pushing the boundary one baby step at a time.

After taking power he systematically rubbed out the competition and any dissenting opinions. He made a big ole bonfire and destroyed libraries, throwing out conventional wisdom and substituting it with his own prapaganda.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? So what will be next. E-book burning. (Ok now I’m being cheeky.)

But seriously, all is not lost … yet.

There may be light at the end of the tunnel after all. I never gave up the fight for my right to privacy and even the mighty Google god eventually caved. The lesson that I learned from my battle is we can still make a difference and win if we just stick to our guns.

Individually we don’t have a chance in hell against the mega corporations. But collectively we can be a force to be reckoned with.

It’s a battle of wills, and in the end it is we consumers who will have the last word.

I use social media such as Facebook and Google Plus, not because I support what they are doing but because that is where the herd is and hopefully, by example, I can make a difference.

I’m using the power of social media to make change for the betterment of all of us — not just for them.

What about you? Have you raised the white flag and given up, or are you willing to try and make a difference for good?

Don’t give up the fight.

I haven’t. I stood my ground and Google caved. Are you prepared to do the same?

Remember: There is something called mitigation and the law of precedent. Meaning: You had better speak up now or forever hold your peace.

Or you can just sit back, do nothing, play a little FarmVille and watch your rights slip by. What the hell.

Easy come easy go…

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