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0 pointskhazhoux8y ago0 comments

> If Google is a monoculture and yet allows or even encourages dissenting opinion and discussion, we have absolutely nothing to worry about. Alternatively, if Google is a monoculture and forces that monoculture on its visitors and users, then any out/other group is going to suffer and potentially not even realize it.

I understand there's an issue of trust, however every Googler will tell you that impartiality of search results is an overriding priority.

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8 comments · 4 top-level

CaptSpify8y ago· 2 in thread

And you believe them?

More that 50% of the population will tell you that they are good drivers, which is statistically impossible. Would you believe them as well?

scottmf8y ago

Why is it statistically impossible for 50% of drivers to be good?

CaptSpify8y ago

> More that 50%

was supposed to be "more than 50%"

jboggan8y ago· 1 in thread

Search results by definition are quite biased - it's returning an ordered list not an unordered set. Googlers' personal biases can and do enter into those results, often in a subtle way where they feel they are being (from their perspective) unbiased. It's an automated system but it's still written by subjective humans.

I agree that every Googler will tell you that impartiality of search results is an overriding priority. It's the crucial tenet underpinning the entire edifice.

cookiecaper8y ago

Yes. If Google ever didn't say this, they'd be ruined by users trying to assert their independence and regulators riding the wave of public resentment.

We have created a culture that depends heavily on certain implicit subtleties. Calling these out as invalid will make you a pariah. Using them to your advantage will make you powerful.

freshhawk8y ago· 1 in thread

Except that the impartiality of a biased monoculture made up of human beings will not actually be impartial. But it strongly believe that it is impartial and be resistant to any change.

khazhouxOP8y ago

You can strike of "biased mono" and your statement is more generally true. The impartiality of Google search results is always going to be in question so long as there are humans in the loop.

But... this has been recognized by Google's search team since day 1. It's not a new problem. Diversity issues did not suddenly introduce the question of bias into Google's search quality team. Though perhaps it's the first time many people outside Google have recognized the issue of potential bias.

rhizome8y ago

What if "every Googler" shares the same blind spots? Even if only one blind spot is shared, how does that allow them to root it out? What processes does Google use to gauge impartiality? Any?

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