<![CDATA[Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something):]]>Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something):

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Google Search as you know it is over | TechCrunch

Google is transforming Search from a list of links into an AI-powered experience filled with conversational answers, autonomous agents, and interactive interfaces β€” a shift that could further reduce traffic to publishers across the web.

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TechCrunch (techcrunch.com)

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]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/33f399e7-6380-4646-bf79-fe3752700384/wow-some-terrible-reporting-about-google-s-latest-horrible-ideas-about-how-to-distort-information-access-in-the-name-of-convenience-or-somethingRSS for NodeMon, 25 May 2026 17:41:57 GMTWed, 20 May 2026 03:17:02 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 15:59:56 GMT]]>@emilymbender you know, I was just thinking

Google gave up on "don't be evil" at least a decade ago

while I worked there about five years ago, they gave up on "respect the user, respect the opportunity, respect each other"

now they seem to have given up on "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful"

I hate that my livelihood is still tied to them.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://wandering.shop/users/WizardOfDocs/statuses/116607732723663906https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://wandering.shop/users/WizardOfDocs/statuses/116607732723663906Wed, 20 May 2026 15:59:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 15:52:28 GMT]]>@morqendi @tomtom @romli @hamishb @emilymbender the only time I use Google is when DDG results are useless so I prepend with β€œg! ” to try Google, and even the noai version doesn’t append β€œ -ai” so I still get the AI overview and an actual setting would still help.

I’ll try to remember to try prepending with β€œg! -ai β€œ, but that’s not an acceptable way for them to interpret β€œopt out”

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/ShadSterling/statuses/116607703342453160https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/ShadSterling/statuses/116607703342453160Wed, 20 May 2026 15:52:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 15:00:08 GMT]]>@hipsterelectron @emilymbender

i have never observed google demonstrate any behavior that struck me as evidence of them gathering any form of information

except for them unethically gathering lots of information about you?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://tech.lgbt/ap/users/115767173799292766/statuses/116607497537280049https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://tech.lgbt/ap/users/115767173799292766/statuses/116607497537280049Wed, 20 May 2026 15:00:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 14:40:21 GMT]]>@tomtom @ShadSterling @romli @hamishb @emilymbender

Even easier:

https://noai.duckduckgo.com/

Enjoy! 😊

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/ap/users/115771448764418416/statuses/116607419807394293https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/ap/users/115771448764418416/statuses/116607419807394293Wed, 20 May 2026 14:40:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 14:25:50 GMT]]>@DamonWakes @sleepfreeparent @emilymbender It's amazing how it's changed from want to get users out of search to websites, as quickly as possible. Now, it's the opposite. Keep users in search as long as possible and don't allow them escape to the websites.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/ap/users/115835423920648083/statuses/116607362725024505https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/ap/users/115835423920648083/statuses/116607362725024505Wed, 20 May 2026 14:25:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:51:12 GMT]]>@emilymbender
Good thing they block adblockers then aye?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/TagHunt/statuses/116607226534868164https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/TagHunt/statuses/116607226534868164Wed, 20 May 2026 13:51:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:47:13 GMT]]>@whitequark @emilymbender indeed

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/jackeric/statuses/116607210848609434https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/jackeric/statuses/116607210848609434Wed, 20 May 2026 13:47:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:46:28 GMT]]>@jackeric @emilymbender doesn't make it less cringe, of course

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.treehouse.systems/users/whitequark/statuses/116607207910970521https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.treehouse.systems/users/whitequark/statuses/116607207910970521Wed, 20 May 2026 13:46:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:45:08 GMT]]>@whitequark @emilymbender surely. `import antigravity` in python, about 20+ years ago

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/jackeric/statuses/116607202658680429https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/jackeric/statuses/116607202658680429Wed, 20 May 2026 13:45:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:43:42 GMT]]>@emilymbender Oh, goodie. They've invented a guy who barges between you and the library shelves and proceeds to give you his vague recollection of what some of the books say. Sort of. Maybe. Unless he decides you were actually looking for something else.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.sdf.org/users/DamonWakes/statuses/116607197010934842https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.sdf.org/users/DamonWakes/statuses/116607197010934842Wed, 20 May 2026 13:43:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:40:35 GMT]]>@sleepfreeparent @mrmoore @emilymbender Also they can show their ads on their platform without those pesky users nipping off to see the source of the information (and possibly supporting it in any way).

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.sdf.org/users/DamonWakes/statuses/116607184743394251https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.sdf.org/users/DamonWakes/statuses/116607184743394251Wed, 20 May 2026 13:40:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:39:45 GMT]]>@emilymbender it's an XKCD reference isn't it?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.treehouse.systems/users/whitequark/statuses/116607181499296215https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.treehouse.systems/users/whitequark/statuses/116607181499296215Wed, 20 May 2026 13:39:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:22:24 GMT]]>@emilymbender wait! You can opt out?!

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.online/users/mspcommentary/statuses/116607113232965457https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.online/users/mspcommentary/statuses/116607113232965457Wed, 20 May 2026 13:22:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 13:10:32 GMT]]>@emilymbender Sometimes it feels like these people are trying to create a world from science fiction stories. For example, in Star Trek when they ask the computer something and it just gives them the answer. They don't understand that plenty of science fiction has no basis in reality and/or are terrible for how our brains actually work (like you've pointed out).

That or they are just greedy bastards that are looking to exploit anyone and everyone for a profit.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/ap/users/115835423920648083/statuses/116607066631413591https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/ap/users/115835423920648083/statuses/116607066631413591Wed, 20 May 2026 13:10:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 12:36:27 GMT]]>@emilymbender, he's mostly right. It definitely is helping the world… burn.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.linux.pizza/users/lp0_on_fire/statuses/116606932602663023https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.linux.pizza/users/lp0_on_fire/statuses/116606932602663023Wed, 20 May 2026 12:36:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 12:33:18 GMT]]>@emilymbender, that was exactly the point at which I started configuring browsers to add β€œ&udm=14” to all searches done via GπŸ’©πŸ’©gle.

Most recent case? I noticed that Calibre does word lookup. It will happily do so via GπŸ’©πŸ’©gle; and, yes, the slop summary is shown.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.linux.pizza/users/lp0_on_fire/statuses/116606920208910285https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.linux.pizza/users/lp0_on_fire/statuses/116606920208910285Wed, 20 May 2026 12:33:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 12:30:58 GMT]]>@emilymbender Silly, you're acting like there's any need for links. To do what? Check the veracity of the AI-generated wisdom and information being provided to you by the high priests of Google?? Heresy! Blasphemy!! How durst thee???

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/FIAR_Light/statuses/116606911036359379https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/FIAR_Light/statuses/116606911036359379Wed, 20 May 2026 12:30:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 12:15:14 GMT]]>@emilymbender These companies desperately want to stop us from finding & enjoying each other's content. Walled gardens of social media & mega platforms weren't enough, now the search directories will be the ultimate walled garden.

All built on stealing the work of everyone who's ever published anything online.

Why would anyone create anything anymore? I already feel my own desire to blog is waning.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://phpc.social/users/syntaxseed/statuses/116606849165622199https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://phpc.social/users/syntaxseed/statuses/116606849165622199Wed, 20 May 2026 12:15:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 12:02:28 GMT]]>@emilymbender My bigger worry is if they start ensloppifying scholar.google.com. Zotero Connector eats it right up. Semantic Scholar isn't a patch on it for grabbing bibliographic records and tracking references, I have seen noticeable distortion in its results. Their pipeline is somewhat ML driven but they do use LLM summaries. This is expected given the origins of the service. Provenance is everything.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/116175731239673526/statuses/116606798980046658https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/116175731239673526/statuses/116606798980046658Wed, 20 May 2026 12:02:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 11:44:11 GMT]]>@emilymbender so we won't know what's AI slop and what's a real site?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.world/users/mcahalane/statuses/116606727088174910https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.world/users/mcahalane/statuses/116606727088174910Wed, 20 May 2026 11:44:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 11:20:23 GMT]]>@emilymbender Kagi πŸ‘

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://ohai.social/ap/users/115683904065635825/statuses/116606633496000743https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://ohai.social/ap/users/115683904065635825/statuses/116606633496000743Wed, 20 May 2026 11:20:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 11:17:27 GMT]]>@emilymbender So long, Googles.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/lukeharby/statuses/116606621943345299https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/lukeharby/statuses/116606621943345299Wed, 20 May 2026 11:17:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 11:12:37 GMT]]>@emilymbender It is "antigravity" in the marketing/community-management sense of "gravity." It'll definitely push everyone away...

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://vis.social/users/wcbdata/statuses/116606602947353948https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://vis.social/users/wcbdata/statuses/116606602947353948Wed, 20 May 2026 11:12:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Wow some terrible reporting about Google's latest horrible ideas about how to distort information access in the name of "convenience" (or something): on Wed, 20 May 2026 10:59:52 GMT]]>@simpleanecdote @Qybat @emilymbender yeah that's what my embed was about, it will be just like product placing in the movies, you don't see them but they're there and they shape what's normal and desirable

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mamot.fr/users/nicoe/statuses/116606552804959143https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mamot.fr/users/nicoe/statuses/116606552804959143Wed, 20 May 2026 10:59:52 GMT