For years Google was my start up page. My day starts with a quest for information on what is happening in the world. I was looking for unbiased information, but now Google has decided to take sides on an undecided scientific debate. They have decided to fund 21 supporters of the CO2 global warming hypothesis to promote and communicate that unproven hypothsis. More details here.
Willis Eschenbach has posted an open letter to the folks at Google at Watts Up With That on this issue.
Dear Googlefolk;
Recently, you have decided to take sides in a scientific debate. That in itself is very foolish. Why would Google want to take either side when there is a disagreement between scientists? I thought your motto was “Do No Evil.” For the 900-pound gorilla to take sides in any tempestuous politically charged scientific discussion is an extremely stupid thing to do, and in this case definitely verges on the E-word.
In fact, that’s why up until now I trusted Google, because I always felt that I was being given the unvarnished truth. I always felt that Google could be trusted, because you didn’t have a dog in the fight. I believed you weren’t trying to slant your results, that you were neutral, because you had nothing to prove.
So what did you guys do? You’re now providing money to 21 supporters of the CO2 hypothesis, funding them as “Google Fellows” to go and flog their scientific claims in the marketplace of ideas. Is this the new face of Google, advocating for a partisan idea?
You have chosen to fund policy people as Google Fellows. You have a specialist in “strategic communication in policymaking and public affairs” among them. You have a bunch of scientists whose careers depend on the validity of the CO2 hypothesis. And you are paying them all to push your ideas. In other words, Google has put into place a public relations campaign for the CO2 hypothesis … and people in your organization actually consider this a good idea?
Read the rest of the letter here.
Well, I do not think Google's action was such a great idea and as of this morning , Microsoft Bing is my new home start up page, that is unless they do something as stupid as Google.