‘Don’t be Evil’

Google states “don’t be evil” as their company moto in their investor relations code of conduct. This principle should apply to their employees and users. Not only is Google taking a stab at other like companies with this statement, but it’s really setting the bar for their acts at a very high level. But are they really measuring up to their own claims?

Ok, let’s talk about China.

Amnesty International has stated that Google (among other Search Engines) censors search results to aid the Chinese government with the country’s censorship regulations. Don’t get me wrong, I think everyone can tell that is just the company following the law of the country (whether or not we as Westerners agree with this law is a whole other debate…) , but where is your line guys? You’re saying ‘don’t do evil’ and that you are ‘ A different kind of Company’ in your corporate philosophy, but you’re doing exactly what your competitors are doing, which makes you the exact same kind of company, as well as a coward by not standing to your own ethical boundaries.

I’m not arguing about the Chinese political issue of censoring, (even though I am totally against it like most people), what I am saying to Google is don’t lie to us. If you are uncomfortable with the rules and regulations that the Chinese government allows you to operate within, then hold to your principles and decide not to do business there. Don’t tell us about your high moral and ethical business practices and then tell us that the Chinese government is making you perform you business in uncomfortable ways. You could have always told them NO which would have earned you some respect among your peers and users.

Come on guys! Don’t let outsiders tell you where to draw you line of ethics and then tell us how ‘different’ you are. Give your users and stakeholders some credit.

What is Worth it?

WOW. There is so much of it out there. Why do people keep trying to sell it to me? Do I look like I want an iPod cover that is made to look like beef?! No! Why aren’t you making something cool (preferably not looking like a raw steak, and on that note…who buys that anyways?), that is going to make my life easier to share, manage as well as trendy. (In fact, style is one of the most important aspects of technology; has to look cool and/or pretty too… preferably with less cords….or retractable cords! I love those!)

During the last week, I have been doing a lot of searching (no, not soul searching) and I have to say, to find the good products and services that are at a reasonable price, you have to dig…no, back hoe through a bunch of ‘stuff’. (If you haven’t noticed my beef (pun intended) with a particular iPod skin.)

I spend a lot of time on www.bnettv.com looking at these new and emerging products, and they are not all what I would say “good”…. in some instances they are even laughable… Now, don’t get me wrong, there is some interesting stuff out there. (Maybe, not always for me, but I know some people that could probably get a lot of use out of some of these products, for example, I’m not a big video taker, but the Droplet technology looks really good actually).

So this is me on my Soap Box, SCREAMING (not talking…clearly) what is the good stuff? Someone point me in the direction of the cool stuff that we all need! (…or don’t know we want yet!J )

What is the best tech stuff that you can’t live without? And don’t tell me you can’t live without your beefy iPod cover!