GOOGLE'S MIS-DIRECTIONS

The following edit captures the essence of Google's intentions over time. With thanks to the current issue of Wired Magazine and Lore Sjoberg.

Few companies set out to do bad deeds, but most won't rule them out. Google was supposed to be different. When Josh McHugh profiled the corporation in January of 2003, it had one clear and concise rule: "Don't be evil". Ah, well, times change. CEO Erick Schmidt recently "clarified" that policy saying it was simply meant as a conversation starter. "we don't have an evil meter," he groused. Here, you can borrow ours!

Philanthropy: Creating a foundation devoted to fighting poverty, researching renewable energy, and protecting the environment. Two can play at this game Mr. Gates. Meter reading +7.1

Coddling Staff: Establishing on site day care for lil' Googlers as an employee perk. (Memo to HR: Keep eyes peels for particularly bright toddlers). Meter reading +5.3

Moral Triage: Giving Brazilian police access to private photo albums on Orkut to assist an investigation on child pornography. The lesser of two evils is still pretty lame. Meter Reading -2.4

Immaturity: Responding to Privacy International's last-placed ranking of Google with "U R BIAS!" Meter reading - 4.8

Screwing Staff: Raising the cost of on site child care to ridiculous levels in order to have the best day care on earth. $57,000 per year. Seriously, Sergey. Meter reading -6.7

Censorship: Instituting key word filters per request of the People's Republic of China. Further "clarification": Google company policies apply only within the continental US. Meter reading -8.3