Before and After Google - Google as a Medium

These are some of the things that come to mind when I think about Google.

Journalism before Google

Journalism after Google

As a journalist there are countless times I need to do research before I interview someone, write a story, or report on an event. Back in the day, this used to happen through being there on the spot with various equipment or rigorous man-hours. Nowadays, with the complexity of Google, this is possible by sitting on my couch with a laptop in my lap or simply by carrying some new media device (such as Google Glass seen above). Some may say that happened when the internet and smart phones came around. I say it was when Google became my primary source for information.

Let me give you another example: A couple arguing about what the capital of Brazil perhaps? 

Bickering about unknown fact before Google

I told you so after Google

This was an argument that was skipped in 0.24 seconds thanks to Google. They were also able to find out that she wasn’t so far off in this case with her guess of Rio de Janeiro, considering it was the capital until 1960. 

How about that research paper? 

Searching for something before Google

Searching for something after Google

With the progress of Google I cannot even imagine the amount of time it must have taken to do a lengthy research paper for students merely 15 years ago. Though many are forced today to find sources strictly printed, these are typically scanned and available through searching on Google. Plus I do not know anyone today that wouldn’t do a little background research on Google before diving into that pile of books.  

Driving before Google Maps

Driving after Google Maps

Lastly, I love to travel. Since I was young I have been privileged enough to travel around a lot due to my mother’s occupation. Many times during these travels I have found myself lurking around foreign cities in search of unique experiences. Though my sense of direction is typically something I like to boast about, there have been times the city has taken me places far from my ground zero. In those trivial times I have found Google Maps to be my knight in shining armor, rescuing me from being consumed by the city. 

That is my Google.