Read my posts about the internet giant Google and in particular how Google’s products and services are used in political campaigning.

Technology

Google data helps predict future course of economy

The Belfast Telegraph reports: Researchers at the Bank of England have discovered that internet searches for specific related terms are a powerful predictive tool for seeing where unemployment and house prices will go in the future. Taking search terms such as “estate agent”, “mortgage”, “unemployed” and “jobseekers allowance” and comparing their frequency over a period … Read the full post »

Political

Map error causes military invasion

No, this isn’t a plot from a political satire but it’s a bona fide news story: An error on Google Maps has caused an international conflict in Central America. A Nicaraguan military commander, relying on Google Maps, moved troops into an area near San Juan Lake along the border between his country and Costa Rica.* … Read the full post »

Technology

Eric Schmidt: a Donald Rumsfeld for our times

Donald Rumsfeld is a clever man. His actions have frequently been highly controversial. And he often came up with phrases that were both barmy and yet had some sense hidden inside them. Google boss Eric Schmidt increasingly reminds me of Rumsfeld. Also smart. Also controversial. And he says things such as: He predicts, apparently seriously, … Read the full post »