Thanks, and happy shopping!

Google was founded on the principle of making information freely available to all; of pulling information from the vast corners of the expansive internet and presenting it to users in an easy to use and understand fashion. The search giant started out as two guys in a garage, not as some big hotshot in Silicone Valley. They presented a refreshing contrast to the overpowering maniacal giant, Microsoft, that was roaming the ‘net like a iron-fisted tyrant. Google was simple, clean, efficient, and was going to improve life as we knew it, all the while adhering to their unofficial code of “do[ing] no evil”. Webmasters from across the web instantly jumped into the fray, touting Google’s fresh approach as the answer to Microsoft’s rapidly growing “evil empire.” That support quickly turned Google into the search engine used by anyone who claimed to be “internet savvy.” In short, Google’s brand was built on the backs of millions of people believing and supporting the up-start search engine while it was still in its infancy, allowing it to survive in the face of other more established competitors such as Netscape and Yahoo. The supporters are why Google was able to play David to Microsoft’s Goliath. And yet, the old axiom that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” has held true. We gave Google the power to do with the internet as they pleased, and unfortunately, they have not lived up to their charge. And now it’s time to once again rise up, and confront the stampeding giant.

So, to that end, over the next few days and weeks, we’ll be posting several articles discussing the different ways Google has sacrificed and abandoned their once sacred values in pursuit of the all mighty dollar. You might not end up agreeing, but one thing is certain, you’ll at least be presented with the other side of the story. You’ll be able to look at the “man behind the curtain” and stare in the face of the all mighty Oz… I mean Google. Ah hell, you know what I mean.