![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1525870-100x100.png\")
The commercial was created 3 months ago as a short film. The suggestion box could have changed since then. Not saying that's likely, but definitely possible.
The commercial was created 3 months ago as a short film. The suggestion box could have changed since then. Not saying that's likely, but definitely possible.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
Google's search results are not static, and the ad was produced several months ago. Note how \"adults\" is now suggested before \"paper dolls\". Search results and suggestions shift with changing data.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1529717-100x100.png\")
So you're saying that people no longer want to make friends with black people?
On the contrary. Now, \"with black people\" is the top suggestion for \"making friends\".
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-288368-100x100.png\")
obviously they needed to have some editing. And google itself also edits the autocomplete. For example, search for p-o-r.... The one thing the internet is famous for doesn't display!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-42681-100x100.png\")
Some time ago, I wanted to give Ask.com a try. I wanted to find the U.S. Web site of Brother, the manufacturer of printers, etc. One of the autocomplete suggestions was \"brother and sister in bed together.\" D: I haven't tried Ask.com since.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-4587-100x100.png\")
Wow, that's dark, even for me.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-44395-100x100.png\")
That video made me literally LOL. Good job!
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1528926-100x100.png\")
Eh. Not even slightly funny, IMHO, YMMV.
I understand that snarky headlines get reads, but honesty should be paramount. How about \"Google Removes Potentially Offensive Search Suggestions from Superbowl Advert.\" The current headline is pretty close to being the opposite of reality.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-6536-100x100.png\")
A search engine, as a non-living thing, can't want anything. The headline is accurate.
Except that comparing the search engine results to the advertisement created by the company indicates the headline refers to the company, not the site. And companies, by way of their management can \"want\" things. They can even run for congress now... http://www.murrayhillincforcongress.com/
No, the headline doesn't say anything about the company's management, owner, or employees. Since a company is also a non-living thing the headline is still accurate.
Since companies are incapable of wanting, isn't this headline invalid and indicative of faulty reporting?
If not, an infinite amount of headlines could be generated about any company and defended by the same logic.
\"Google doesn't want to make money\"
\"Microsoft doesn't want you to buy Windows\"
\"Fake Bad Company doesn't want the human race to survive past the year 2010\"
Since companies are incapable of wanting, isn't this headline invalid and indicative of faulty reporting?
No, it makes it true. If someone or something is incapable of doing something it's perfectly valid to state that they can't or don't do it.
If not, an infinite amount of headlines could be generated about any company and defended by the same logic.
And those headlines would be as funny as this one is.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-312976-100x100.png\")
Who types in searchers on 'making friends with black people'? Who?
Just tell me who!
People who might want to buy the book written by African-American comedian Nick Adams.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1238020-100x100.png\")
If I remember correctly, at one point there was a parody website with a name like that.
White people who need a token black friend.
People who have not grown up around anyone but white people and want tips on not being socially awkward.
Not that a google search would help, but the logic, while somewhat flawed, is there.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-53856-100x100.png\")
Autocomplete me is annoying because just about every \"wacky\" suggestion is just a reference to some movie or skit or something. When people can't remember the name of a skit, they type in whatever wacky thing they remember from it.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-462867-100x100.png\")
You ruined it for me! I was laughing so hard. Now I know it's lame. There is less joy in my life. Thanks.
Here you go... this should be just as entertaining, without having to figure out where the quote is from: http://www.coolfunnyquotes.com/
All I could think about during the ad was how they were missing the necessary searches for \"French immigration law\" and \"obtaining marriage visas\" in the US or in France. It ain't that simple, people.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-88626-100x100.png\")
As someone else stated the results aren't static. Mine also shows:
making friends with....
hitler
death
shadows on my wall
autism
try searching why do black....and see what you get
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-434578-100x100.png\")
If you actually click on the \"making friends with black people\" suggestion, the first match is a book with that title, by a stand-up comic named Nick Adams. Most of the other search results point to that same book.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1021770-100x100.png\")
SOrry Google. I don't see black or white. All I see are human beings.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1523089-100x100.png\")
Google autocomplete can actually change moment to moment and definitely day to day. It is based on the numbers of searches for each suggestion that have been made. What shows on top today could be totally missing tomorrow.
Let's see.....it's my turn to play....now where did I put that race card?
Hey, they do alter these things as the public starts to notice them. It used to be that if you put in \"Christianity is...\" or \"Judiasm is...\" you got \"...bulls**t\" (but the real word) as your first choice and \"...a lie\" for your second. However, if you put \"Islam is...\", you got NOTHING. No suggestions at all. But that has changed in just the last few weeks. And now it gets treated the same because the info hit the mainstream.
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/01/google-islam-censorship/
Oh, wait. haha.
Well, treating us as individuals is a start. Really, what is wrong with people? I don't mind that good took it out, because it is a bit WTF inducing.
Err, Google, not good. Can we please get an edit function?
Why are you criticizing Google for this? It's not like Google has an \"Aryan Pride\" logo on its site or something. Do you *seriously* -- even for a moment -- think Google is institutionally bigoted?
Here's what I think: I think the Google ad was a sweet, masterful bit of storytelling that would press the fairly limited narrative talents of the entire Consumerist staff combined.
In our oversensitive culture, anything can be seen as a slight. I suspect had the phrase run in the ad, you would have posted some snarky article about how Google thinks its customers are bigots and need help making friends with black people. Regardless, the result would have been controversial, it was distracting to the message and I don't see the problem taking it out.
But tearing down is far more popular a past time than either creating something useful and uplifting, so by all means, to paraphrase and twist Google's famous motto, \"Keep Being Mean.\"
A search engine is not a person. It can't want anything. It's not a critique, it's a fact.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-812791-100x100.png\")
![http://i.imgur.com/OUIC5.png](\"http://i.imgur.com/OUIC5.png\"){kind=link}
I dunno, I see this sort of both ways. On one hand, it's a commercial and including \"make friends with black people\" can be sort of racially insensitive and I'm sure it would have made a big stir if it HAD been left it. So, to Google, it's a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario.
type in \"why are\" and you get some interesting ones
It is not racially insensitive as black people like to celebrate that skin color makes them different culturally.
I will say that there would have been black people who would have called google racist for having that on the screen even though it is not racist or bad at all. There are just a lot of people out there who profit from making up racist BS.