zlacker

>>benhur+(OP)
This makes me anxious about my long time Gmail address. Back then I got it just because it and Google was cool, and their services had a good reputation. It was a different Google back then. If they had launched it this year I would never have got one because chances are it would have been cancelled by 2025. Gmail is really the only valuable thing that actually ties my life to Google. And it's not that hard to replace, but just a bother to inform some people and update account details.

>>jug+36
Yes, the good old Don't Be Evil days. I've asked so many people if they can remember Google's old slogan. Nobody does.

>>2malaq+V6
Their new slogan is hilarious. It's not even one slogan, it's three:

* Respect the user

* Respect the opportunity

* Respect each other

The first one is obviously a joke, because nothing says "respect the user" like canceling a beloved service with millions of users, or "updating" the product while losing half the features.

The last one makes you wonder why they had to put it into a slogan. Isn't it the baseline expectation? It's somewhere on the level of "Don't steal your colleague's belongings" as far as slogans go.

But it's the second one that is absolutely the best, and by that, I mean the worst. Orwell would've had a lot to say about it. The thing is, it has absolutely no meaning in the English language. What's next? Say hi to agility? Don't offend capital gains? Console excellence?

Of course, it doesn't really matter. The whole thing has a mafia vibe, as Google's slogans and culture are drifting towards loyalty rather than standing up for what's right.

--------

If you want to have more fun, look at Google's Community Guidelines[1]

Compare to The Mafia Code:

* Be loyal to members of the organization. Do not interfere with each other's interest. Do not be an informer.

--[Google: Treat our data with care. Don't disseminate NTK information.]

* Be rational. Be a member of the team. Don't engage in battle if you can't win.

--[Google: follow Three Values, in particular: Respect the opportunity.]

* Be a man of honor. Respect womanhood and your elders. Don't rock the boat.

--[Google: Do your part to keep Google a safe, productive, and inclusive environment for everyone.]

* Be a stand-up guy. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut.

--[Google: Discussions that make other Googlers feel like they don't belong have no place here.]

* Have class. Be independent. Know your way around the world.

--[Google: You are responsible for your words and your reach.]

[1]https://about.google/community-guidelines/

>>romwel+h9
TIL the Mafia has a pretty decent, humane code of conduct.

>>An0mam+2e
The Mafia /g has teams that all do the same thing. Google has teams doing different things: here, in one corner, a team makes something benign or maybe even positive, over there, other "googlers" are doing suspect things, like putting together the [AI] surveillance infrastructure. They are all "googlers" but only some used to have TSCs. So "respect each other".

Now as far as "the user", well the joke is apparently on GP, as everybody and their dog knows that 'on the internet, if the product is free, you are the product and not the user!'. Even dogs on internet know this, but alas, HN has forgotten. So, "respect the user" means respect the folks who are paying us to track everybody and their dog on the internet.

Respect "the opportunity". Translation: This is a "Golden Time' for the few to lord it over the many! So the respect the user, and respect each other, and the rest should be grateful for having 'the permission' to use our platform.

Hope this helps.