The problem with selecting pages based on the presence of particular words is that some rhetoric is peculiarly anti-Semitic. That became a problem for Google a couple of years ago, since it was really easy to find hate groups by writing like a hate-monger (in that case, constant use of the word “Jew”). But Google has another problem, one that is caused by the exact opposite dynamic: there’s so much anti-Semitism out there that casting a very wide net is also likely to reel in some anti-Semitic specimens. For months, Google has been randomly drawing from videos from Google Video and putting them on their default personalized page. A few days ago, we got this:
Obviously, we’re not implying that Google is in any way responsible for this filth (seriously – no sarcasm meant – these are probably just more or less random algorithms). But that this randomly ended up (randomly) on the frontpage shows just how common and how open anti-Semitic invective has become.
Incidentally, Google recently stopped feeding videos and replaced that part of the screen with a clock. Related Mere Rhetoric Posts:
Antisemitic Pogroms In Moldova, Chants In Spain, And Violence Throughout Europe
Watchers Council Results - Another Lease On Life
TOCS - 6:30pm PST - The Apartheid Blood Libel, Antisemitic Education, Dan Diker On Middle East Tensi...
TOCS – 6:30pm PST – Mainstreaming Libels And Canards, Dan Diker On The Regional Reality, Etc.
