The Hawthorne Effect

Six weeks after serving Google with broad subpoenas, Federal Trade Commission lawyers, in conjunction with several state attorneys general, have been asking whether Google prevents smartphone manufacturers that use its Android operating system from using competitors’ services, these people said.

They also have inquired whether Google grants preferential placement on its website to its own products, such as Google’s “Places” business listings, its “Shopping results” and Google Finance services above most other results.

Don’t be evil, huh?

Link

“America’s ability to pay is neither here nor there: the problem is its willingness to pay. And there’s a serious constituency of powerful people in Congress who are perfectly willing and even eager to drive the US into default. The Tea Party is fully cognizant that it has been given a bazooka, and it’s just itching to pull the trigger. There’s no good reason to believe that won’t happen at some point.”

Source

I admit it. For a while there we were close. We’d go places together, check in with one another. Occasionally you’d bring me deals. It was nice. But after a while we grew apart. Something wasn’t quite right. It happens. People would tell me all about how fun you were and what a great time it was playing you, but I had my doubts. I hid them of course, because all my friends wanted it to work between us, but I can’t go on like this.

You’re just a game about how often I can push a button.

I’m sorry, but I want more from my games. Sure you’ve tried to lure me back with your large usage numbers and your swelling audience, but I need more. After a while the chore of checking in with you everywhere I go just got to be too much. I need my games to not smother me so.

When I hang out with Angry Birds, we can have a good time and then both go on our way. With you, I have to be constantly reminded how I’m not measuring up to my friends. As if the ability to push a button is so great. So I’m sorry, I’m afraid this is goodbye.