Pinboard (guardiantech)

Google's Evil Plan Is Simple (and not so evil) >> AJ Kohn

guardiantech — 2013-02-27T06:43:58+00:00

Instead of talking about all of these natural business moves and conjuring up some nefarious plot, I want to talk about Google’s real strategy. Here’s the truth. Here’s Google’s plan.
Get people to use the Internet more.
That’s it. The more time people spend on the Internet the more time they’ll engage in revenue generating activities [for Google] such as viewing and clicking display ads and performing searches.

And then goes on to analyse Google's products in the light of this analysis. It's completely correct, but people tend to overlook it in favour of more complex "strategies".

Magnificent application of game theory, by a contestant on a game show >> bengoldacre

guardiantech — 2012-05-01T14:40:17+00:00

It's a Prisoner's Dilemma game. But:

An interesting twist is permitted on this particular TV show, because the contestants get a chance to discuss strategy. Normally the play here seems simple: you try to persuade the other person that splitting is a good idea, and that you can be trusted. This time, one of the contestants plays a different and very clever approach, signalling a clear warning to his opponent. The fact that he works in charitable sector funding only makes it better.

And do watch to the very, very end of the clip. It is worth it.

Why Best Buy is Going out of Business...Gradually >> Forbes

guardiantech — 2012-01-03T23:20:55+00:00

If you work in a physical retailer, read this. Your future employment might depend on understanding its lessons.

Dear Vic: here’s your Google bonus (you gotta waste time to get it) >> Scobleizer

guardiantech — 2011-04-11T05:43:30+00:00

Scoble pitches in: "I watched two girls pull out their iPhones. One used Red Laser to scan a book in the store. Another checked in with Foursquare.

"I realized just what they were doing: wasting time more efficiently!
"Google doesn’t get this new behavior. Google’s engineering culture doesn’t quite grok why people would waste time. Why they would update their Facebook profiles for hours every week. Or, even, set “relationship status.” Yeah, they might copy Mark Zuckerberg and put some of those features into whatever social system they will reveal at Google IO, but I don’t think the culture really gets why those things work.

"They help us waste time more effectively."