With so much of today's media being distributed by just a handful of companies, many of us find it impossible to escape the grasp of the infamous Google brand. But is that a bad thing?
Mega-companies like Google have given the public access to countless services: video streaming, web browsing, blogging, even calendar-ing --all essentially FOR FREE. Google Drive provides free cloud storage while giving users access to easy-to-use business tools like their word processor, spreadsheet maker, and presentation program. Countless people use the tools the Google company has provided to them in both their personal and professional lives.
Some may say that we are addicted to Google. Some are concerned about the data that Google collects on its users, and they worry about their privacy. It is true that the company does have a hold on our society, considering how many products are available to us and yet we still choose their brand over others, but I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. I also am not personally concerned about the data Google has collected on me. Is that a mistake on my part?
From my point of view, if we did not have access to the free Google products and services that we do, we would not be better off. It's because of companies like Google and YouTube that many people have made careers for themselves online. Without Google Docs and Google Slides, I would have had to pay for those programs from Microsoft; when access to those programs is cut off after graduation from North Central College, I will go back to using solely Google programs like I had for years.
As for data collection, I am not bothered that Google has information on my location or phone number so long as they are transparent about what they do with all of the data they have stored about their users. So far, it looks like all that data they've collected has done little other than influence users' search results and made users' experiences with their products that much more customized.
As I learn how to create an online business for myself and continue building up Tonacity's marketing strategy, Google will be there to make those processes go smoothly. Using programs on Google Drive, we will be able to write up plans and presentations with the ability to share and edit amongst our group of a cappella leaders. As one who is interested in starting a business, I will be using Google Sheets to plan out budgets and organize myself. YouTube is providing myself and Tonacity with a platform to share our work with the world along with an opportunity for monetization of that content through Google Adsense.
Without Google, we would not have the same access to online success --either in research or career-- like we do today. In a world where everything is connected and few people remain untethered to the internet, it's not uncommon to be critical of giant companies like Google. Google is not perfect. It's run by humans who make mistakes like the rest of us, but to deny the giant and positive effect it has had on our lives would be an injustice to the people of Google who have put in the work to make success and knowledge accessible to everyone with a computer.
On behalf of Tonacity, I'd like to thank Google for all the tools they have provided our group. Without them, we would not have the same ability as we do to learn, grow, and succeed.
Cheers,
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Mega-companies like Google have given the public access to countless services: video streaming, web browsing, blogging, even calendar-ing --all essentially FOR FREE. Google Drive provides free cloud storage while giving users access to easy-to-use business tools like their word processor, spreadsheet maker, and presentation program. Countless people use the tools the Google company has provided to them in both their personal and professional lives.
Some may say that we are addicted to Google. Some are concerned about the data that Google collects on its users, and they worry about their privacy. It is true that the company does have a hold on our society, considering how many products are available to us and yet we still choose their brand over others, but I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. I also am not personally concerned about the data Google has collected on me. Is that a mistake on my part?
From my point of view, if we did not have access to the free Google products and services that we do, we would not be better off. It's because of companies like Google and YouTube that many people have made careers for themselves online. Without Google Docs and Google Slides, I would have had to pay for those programs from Microsoft; when access to those programs is cut off after graduation from North Central College, I will go back to using solely Google programs like I had for years.
As for data collection, I am not bothered that Google has information on my location or phone number so long as they are transparent about what they do with all of the data they have stored about their users. So far, it looks like all that data they've collected has done little other than influence users' search results and made users' experiences with their products that much more customized.
As I learn how to create an online business for myself and continue building up Tonacity's marketing strategy, Google will be there to make those processes go smoothly. Using programs on Google Drive, we will be able to write up plans and presentations with the ability to share and edit amongst our group of a cappella leaders. As one who is interested in starting a business, I will be using Google Sheets to plan out budgets and organize myself. YouTube is providing myself and Tonacity with a platform to share our work with the world along with an opportunity for monetization of that content through Google Adsense.
Without Google, we would not have the same access to online success --either in research or career-- like we do today. In a world where everything is connected and few people remain untethered to the internet, it's not uncommon to be critical of giant companies like Google. Google is not perfect. It's run by humans who make mistakes like the rest of us, but to deny the giant and positive effect it has had on our lives would be an injustice to the people of Google who have put in the work to make success and knowledge accessible to everyone with a computer.
On behalf of Tonacity, I'd like to thank Google for all the tools they have provided our group. Without them, we would not have the same ability as we do to learn, grow, and succeed.
If you would like to see our work with Google in action, click through to our YouTube channel to see what Tonacity has been up to! Right now, we have live performances and other fun videos available, but look out on JUNE 2ND for the premiere of our very first MUSIC VIDEO! Thank you for supporting us and our journey as one of NCC's premiere a cappella groups!
Cheers,
Dani James, VP
YouTube
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