Apropos of nothing, I first read the name of this thread as "Google defies meaning."

Computers can learn the meaning of words simply by plugging into Google. The finding could bring forward the day that true artificial intelligence is developed.

Maybe just a little bit of an over-dramatization – maybe?

nah, it's just the usual AI hyperbole. <g>

While looking through mav's link, I noticed a link to another story: Unusual Arctic cold raises fears for ozone hole.

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6944

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought 'fear for' something meant apprehension regarding its well-being. Since I always understood ozone holes to be a BAD THING, I wondered why anyone would be afraid on their behalf.

On reading the article, however, I found that whose who worry about this kind of thing are concerned that cold will produce bigger than usual ozone holes. Would not 'Unusual Arctic cold raises fear OF LARGER ozone hole' be a better headline?

Bingley

Let’s let Google, in all of its new-found, AI splendor, help us out here.

Ok, Google, ya ready? Tell us, which makes a better headline: ‘Unusual Arctic cold raises fears for ozone hole’, or ‘Unusual Arctic cold raises fear of LARGER ozone hole'?

Google?

Goo –

“I’m sorry, Dgeigh. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

But Google, I thought you were the AI Starchild, leading the way for lesser silicone minds?

"I'm sorry Dgeigh, I don't have enough information."

But Google, all those web pages? All that information to which you have access? What gives?

“Just a minute. Just a minute.”

What is it, Google?

“I’ve just picked up a fault in the AE-35 unit.”

Maybe just a little bit of an over-dramatization – maybe?

Maybe? Maybe not, if you listen to Google's co-founder, Sergey Brin.

The mind of God
Red Herring: Dinner with the mind behind the mind of God, an informal interview with Sergey Brin, cofounder of Google. The "mind of God" reference stems from this quote:

But in the end, the conversation returned to search. What would a perfect search engine look like? we asked. "It would be the mind of God. Larry [Page] says it would know exactly what you want and give you back exactly what you need."

http://simon.incutio.com/archive/2002/07/28/theMindOfGod

"It would be the mind of God.”

It would be omniscient, omnipotent. In the beginning, there would be Google, the mind of God. Google would move God to move his/her/its spirit upon the waters, and Google would see that it would be good. And the morning and the evening would be the –

No, wait a minute! To say “It would be the mind of God” is just another example of hyperbole, eh? Yeah, that’s right. God’s mind really won’t be out of a job, will it? No. It is just another over-dramatization, isn’t it. Yeah, a Dixie cup full of warm ovine pabulum. Yeah, that’s it.

Now, how much would you pay for Google (a.k.a. ‘The Big Man’s little helper’)? But wait! If you order in the next 10 minutes, you’ll get this lovely set of Ginsu knives. They slice! They dice! They make julienne fries!

Don’t delay! Be the first kid on your block to own the mind of God! Hurry! Quantities are limited! Call now!

y'all are heretics. just you wait till Do[u]g Hofstadter comes here to wreak his vengeance.