KEY POINTS:
We've had two reminders this week of how entwined Google has become in our lives.
On Tuesday the internet giant launched the local version of Google Street View, its controversial panoramic street-level photographic record, so far limited to only parts of the country.
As it's done elsewhere, the virtual unveiling of this service raised grumblings about invasion of privacy, and whether we really needed another online repository for digital images of people caught in the act doing silly things outside their - or someone else's - front door.
Then yesterday Google regaled us with a rather different repository of information: this time in the form of various lists outlining what we as a nation have collectively been using its ubiquitous search engine to inquire about.
We're clearly a nation of recreationalists because it turns out the most searched-for term on google.co.nz is "games". Also in the top 10 were: "bebo," "youtube," "Trade Me," "lyrics," "google," "map," "hotmail," "tv" and "weather".
I'm slightly sceptical about the veracity of this list. First, how many people really go to Google to google "Google"?
Second, where's the sex? Scientific studies have confirmed the internet is little more than a seething cauldron of pornography and I'd expect that to be reflected in at least one naughty word appearing on the list.
But enough with the societal cyber introspection. We, and Google, have got much better things to do. In Google's case, that includes monitoring flu outbreaks around the world.
Yes, in an under-reported development, another new Google service can apparently rapidly home in on an outbreak of influenza by analysing increased instances of keyword searches relating to the disease as they intensify in a particular geographic area.
I kid you not. The company's philanthropic arm, Google.org, says its Flu Trends tool means that the process of tracking a flu outbreak, which traditionally takes a week or two, can now be done almost instantly.
Sure, this has once again raised concerns of privacy invasion but I think it's great and we all need to chill out and think about the bigger picture.
Next time you're feeling poorly and resort to typing "Where can I buy something laced with pseudoephedrine without being accused of being a P cook" into the mighty search engine, just think, you're not only improving your own level of knowledge, you're also helping to improve the world's health.
Just don't be surprised if a squad from the DHB move in five minutes later and quarantine your entire street.
simon@businesswriter.co.nz
