The Gong Show

Lately it seems like you’re not a real blogger if you don’t write about Google at least once a week. It’s been awhile since my last Google related post, and I wouldn’t want Technorati to think I’m not one of the cool kids, so I have two things to say about Google today:

1) My reading habits online when I’m procrastinating typically start with Bloglines, then Techmeme, and finally NYTimes. I read about the Google Apps for Businesses release on this NYTimes story today, and I thought for certain that the NYTimes was reporting on some old soggy story that managed to squeak by me on the blogosphere weeks ago. There was no mention on Techmeme at the time, so I just assumed that the story had already fallen off the front page. Since when does old media get the scoop on a Google story? Never! I genuinely thought I was out of the loop, and it wasn’t until Scoble posted on this unusual leak that I realized I wasn’t just behind on the news. Why would Google go straight to old media sources with a leak and not include even Techcrunch? It completely difuses the echo chamber effect of the blogosphere buzz around their product launch if everyone has already read the news in the morning paper. It’s like Google PR is actively trying to downplay the launch on the blogosphere… so old school… so 1.0… so un-Google.

2) It seems like ev-ery-one is taking a stance on whether or not start-ups can compete with Google (and how). I think tech bloggers should put badges on their sidebars which clearly state their opinion on this issue: “Yes, a scrappy startup stands a chance vs the Google steamroller” or “No, a scrappy startup vs Google has worse odds than Bambi vs Godzilla.” Bloggers taking a clear position on this issue would really help me as I read their other blog posts. I should add the “Yes” badge to my site because it most-accurately represents my feelings on the issue. I really resonated with the Signal vs Noise post on this issue, so I’ll just link to their post (again) instead of restating their argument.