I think people say “Google” - well I do at least - because that is the experience people have come to expect from the Internet. I too remember the old days and while I miss a lot of things I don’t miss sifting through loads of information before finding the content I was actually interested in.
It doesn’t have to be “Google” that provides this service however I argue that it does have to be delivered by a group with plenty of resources - this could be a group of geniuses who are willing to give up their time but I suspect it’s much more likely that profit would be the motivating factor.
Anyway, this is kind of beside my point. Imagine for a moment that Google did decide to come to Safe. How would my experience on Safe differ to that of the Internet of today?
I personally would use Google to search Safe. I’m guessing they could still censor their results and build a profile of me then target me with advertising, potentially sell my profile, etc.
Say something like Project Decorum became the dominant social network on Safe. What’s to stop this from following a similar pattern to many other big players, i.e. start off relatively benign and idealistic and as the money making potential grows the ideals start to crumble. Surely Decorum will be able to identify my account and be able to build a profile for me over time?