Are You in the Google Filter Bubble? - Comments Page 1

It is interesting that lets say drastic things could happen with search but like you say there is not any real evidence just some claims by someone basically.

I don't need to wait for a smoking gun. There is already a fetid miasma wafting from Slough Google. My cell phone has an Android OS. Guess which search engine I use from my phone?

Bob, you disappoint me (and not for the first time). We are supposed to take your word about Google not using a "filter bubble" vs umpteen respected experts who say differently? This doesn't even address how snoopy Google is.

Too bad they did not put an abstract up so people would not waste their time.

_The Journal of Irreproduciable Results_ (JIR) - a peer reviewed journal - showed, several years ago that studies where N=1 can be valid, and even that when N=0, the results can be extremely reliable, and saves a lot time and money.

Sadly when a bunch of us were reading the studies out loud, only a few of us were laughing so hard that our noses began to run and it was very difficult to remain upright.

So, Bob, I refer you to the JIR where they proved that when N=1, and even when N=0, the statistical methodology remains rigorous and valid.

So if N=76 (87-11) the results MUST be 75-76 times as valid than an N=1 or N=0 study.

I think that if you believe everything you read on the Internet, you are probably getting your opinions formed for you by what you read. If on the other hand, you are a bit skeptical about what you see on the Internet,and question the validity of what you see, this is much less likely.

When I see an assertion from someone on the Internet, but no citation to support that assertion, I ignore it. If you want me to believe what you say, give me a source so I can follow up on what you tell me.

When I see an opinion on the Internet, I feel entitled to agree or disagree with that opinion. If you want me to agree with you, tell me why you hold your opinion, then give me sources supporting your position. In other words, you are free to believe what you believe, I have no problem with that, but if you want me to believe what you believe, you will have to give me reasons based in fact to do so.

Do I see search results no one else sees? I do not care, because I take all things I see on the Internet with true skepticism.

My2Cents,
Ernie

"no one's swaying my mind but me."
Interesting that you would think so.
It's amazing to find so many who think ads are mainly benign and harmless annoyances.
If they weren't effective, why would businesses invest billions on ads?
Those 'harmless' ads have a way of penetrating our subconscious in subtle but effective ways.

Look at the multitude of fast food outlets, and the crowds they attract, across the country...that's the power of advertising.

"no one's swaying my mind but me."
Nope, no one except whoever's buying me Snickers.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For the record, it's been quite a while since I enjoyed a Snickers bar! :-)

I use a VPN ( Nord )to avoid such issues. However, there are still a couple of "gotchas".
1- some sites are using "browser fingerprinting" and I expect that to become more & more prevalent. I suppose there are also workarounds for this issue.

2- Beware DNS lookups and DNS proxies. This is a good place to start: https://dnsleaktest.com/

And if you use a cell phone...Good Luck !!

I’m trying to remember the last time Google held a gun to my head and made me do something I would rather not!

1) One radio personality weighed in on this and disagreed. See https://www.glennbeck.com/popular/still-want-to-believe-google-isnt-evil-then-dont-listen-to-this-interview

2) This would be relatively easy to test if you have just a little money and some time. Buy two new computers (or completely reinstall the software on two). Develop two different personalities with physical "addresses" in same neighborhood, different emails, different phone numbers, etc. Each personality needs to then look up and read websites that are as opposite as possible. One looks up rock music while the other is opera. One looks up liberal causes while the other looks up conservative causes. Etc, etc, etc. Then: set the computers in the same room and ask Google identically worded questions. Ask for suggestions on lawyers, doctors, hospitals, hair services, etc. See if there are any differences.

Critical thinking skills in this population are disappointingly very low. Just look at the last few years of elections, reflect on the reasons given for the choices, and you will see this issue. That is, if you are even somewhat informed, you will.

It's strange that this should appear in my inbox right now!
I did a search just this afternoon for a specific item - a CCW holster in fact - and looked at several of them, using DDG for my browser.
FOllowing that I immediately went to FB to check on a post I'm following, and the first thing I saw was an ad for CCW holsters!
DDGo Figure!

Dear Bob,
Thanks for your comments on this subject. Personally, I can think for myself. I always check multiple sources when researching anything on the Internet. That way,I can make a decision based on info from different web pages.
And, I like Google.

I use duckduckgo over google. I use https everyhere, all my settings on computer, browser, etc are set for privacy. Why do settings keep changing for internet in control panal and others? They try to go to Yahoo browser and I delete it but it keeps coming back. I finally got rid of it now it goes to Bing or MSN on the settings in control panal. How can I stop this??????????? Thank you for your expertise.

John

I use duckduckgo over google. I use https everyhere, all my settings on computer, browser, etc are set for privacy. Why do settings keep changing for internet in control panal and others? They try to go to Yahoo browser and I delete it but it keeps coming back. I finally got rid of it now it goes to Bing or MSN on the settings in control panal. How can I stop this??????????? Thank you for your expertise.

John

study or no study, It takes serious effort to find new info or 'go in a different' direction while searching.
As for elections, believe half of what you see and none of what you read.

If you are truly concerned about the search bubble, go to your local library (or a branch farther from your house) and do a search there. Compare the search results to the ones you get at home and/or on your phone. I tried this a few times myself, and the results were the same at several different library branches - even when I used the machines that don't require you to log in with your library card.

Receiving ads based on interest (and proving almost everyone is being tracked) is just the beginning.

DDG is now almost as bad as Google when it comes to skewing results and "scrubbing" information. And I no longer believe DDG's claim of not tracking its users. Something has changed with them in the last 1 1/2 years or so. Can't put my finger on it, but they are different from the DDG of years ago.
Trust no one.

I like reading Bob's articles. However, I sometimes wonder if Bob is sponsored by Google. It would be nice if he would let us know if he receives any compensation for his defense of Google and its products.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can stop wondering. Google doesn't know or care what I write about them, be it pro or con.