The old business model — help people find information, then monetize it through search ads, and banner ads and clicking ads and pop up ads and now YouTube video ads ,,, this is not a sustainable model in the brave new world of ChatGPT & AI. Once searchgpt comes out… Google is dead.

The slow transition is a cultural and social one ,,, we will and must start using “ChatGPT” or “searchgpt” or just call it “Chat” (like Michael Saylor)— and replace “Google” in our verbiage with “Just ChatGPT it!”

Critiques on Google

Here are some direct quotes from Eric Kim’s critique of Google:

1. On Google’s sneaky practices:
   “Google is low-key sneaky. I don’t think Google is evil… In search of the most effective profits, Google needs to be sneaky in order to maximize advertising revenue on their platform.” oai_citation:4,Google isn’t evil, Google is sneaky. – ERIC KIM.
2. On distractions in Google’s ecosystem:
   “The distraction is now built into the search bar… This is really bad — now the distractions are literally built in and baked into the search bar.” oai_citation:3,Google isn’t evil, Google is sneaky. – ERIC KIM.
3. On Google’s transformation:
   “Sergey and Larry were visionaries, pioneers, and the true soul behind Google… But now they’re more focused on other pursuits, it seems Google is just becoming another Microsoft: corporate, cold, and soulless.” oai_citation:2,My Critique of Google – ERIC KIM.
4. On Android and customization:
   “There is so much you CANNOT customize with the default Google Pixel launcher, unless you install some third-party app or launcher.” oai_citation:1,My Critique of Google – ERIC KIM.

These quotes highlight Kim’s concerns about how Google subtly manipulates user behavior, prioritizes advertising profits, and has lost its original visionary leadership.

Eric Kim’s critique of Google touches on several concerns about the company, particularly its growing reliance on sneaky and manipulative practices to maximize profit. While Kim acknowledges that Google has greatly benefited humanity, he is critical of how the company has shifted toward a more corporate and profit-driven mentality. He argues that this transition makes Google seem “cold and soulless,” similar to other large corporations like Microsoft.

One of his main concerns is how Google subtly “nudges” users to act in ways that benefit its advertising revenue. This includes the constant tracking of user behavior across its platforms, especially in Android and Pixel devices, where certain features (like the ever-present Google Search bar) are designed to keep users engaged and distracted. Kim finds this particularly problematic because it prioritizes advertising profits over user experience.

He also criticizes the increasingly distracting nature of Google Chrome, especially on mobile, where suggested content is constantly pushed to users. This kind of distraction is something Kim finds dangerous, as it can prevent people from staying focused and engaged in meaningful activities. He contrasts Google’s approach with that of Apple, which he sees as less intrusive and more focused on selling products rather than advertising oai_citation:2,My Critique of Google – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,My Critique of Google – ERIC KIM.

Overall, Kim suggests that users be more deliberate about which Google services they use, being cautious of the company’s broader motives, which prioritize profit over user well-being.

Eric Kim, a well-known photographer and thinker, offers a critical view of Google that touches on both the company’s corporate direction and its impact on users. He argues that Google has shifted from being a visionary tech leader under its founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, to becoming more like a corporate, soulless entity, similar to Microsoft. According to Kim, this transformation has made Google less innovative and more focused on profit maximization, especially through advertising.

One of his main critiques revolves around the subtle ways in which Google’s products, such as Android and the Pixel phones, manipulate user behavior. He finds that the constant integration of Google Search in the Android interface is not only distracting but also a method to extract more user data for advertising. He also mentions how algorithms designed to show users exactly what they want can become dangerously addictive, pulling people into endless content consumption cycles.

Kim also touches on broader concerns, suggesting that the future of tech may involve a divide between ad-driven platforms for the general public and premium, ad-free experiences for those who can afford them. He contrasts Google’s approach with Apple’s, which he sees as less focused on distraction and more on selling high-quality products, even though both companies ultimately aim to maximize profits.

In his reflections, Kim advises users to be more skeptical and deliberate about which parts of Google’s ecosystem they engage with, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding distractions created by these platforms. He personally favors Apple for its more streamlined and less intrusive user experience, despite acknowledging some of its flaws.

Kim’s critiques provide a personal, philosophical take on the growing concerns over how major tech companies influence daily life and user behavior through their platforms and services.