Growing up too fast

Not knowing much about Google's past, aside from the fact that it grew quite quickly, I was surprised to learn of its humble beginnings in Searching for Trouble: Why Google is on its Guard—"Google was a 'neutral' search engine that promoted no content company and no advertisers, and was intended to make the world's information available without favoritism." Looking at the company today, it seems they have far exceeded this "for the good of all" basic floor plan to erect a massive empire without much structure—worrying me that without taking the time to restructure the foundation, eventually everything will collapse.

However, it's difficult to deny Google's prominence (and success) in the market—"Eleven years after Google's birth, we no longer search for information on the Web, we Google it." It seems the young, strong, innovative and at times cocky personas behind Google are its greatest strengths, but also, as the company continues to grow, its certain demise (think tragic flaw). "If we both feel the same way, we're probably right," Page said. "If we don't agree, it's probably a toss-up. If we both agree and nobody else agrees with us, we assume we're right! It sounds like a tough thing to say, but that's sort of what you need to do to make progress."

Though I'm not sure I'd call Google a Monopoly quite yet, it definitely seems to be on that track—and running anyone over who gets in its way. Talk about complete disregard for business etiquette. And, when the article gets to Google's latest idea of transparent personalization, my first thought is Big Brother. Scary.

Overall, Google is fascinating. It's over-the-top notoriety and growth in its short lifetime is quite nearly unmatched, yet its future success is open for debate. It and its founders may just be getting too big for their britches, and if they don't tighten the reigns quickly (and intelligently) Google's demise will be just as titillating to watch as its emergence.

Questions to consider:

1. How are other media companies supposed to compete?
2. Do you think this negative light is being cast on Google simply in the hopes of helping push it over the edge to its fall?
3. Are the new generation of businessmen all egotistical, self-involved, money-hungry pricks? And, is this attitude necessary to be successful today?

Sarah