freejung - 3:08 pm on Sep 9, 2009 (gmt 0)

"the idea of one correct answer is anathema to the human spirit" What? That's could be the most bizarre thing I've ever read on WebmasterWorld, which is saying a lot.

Steveb, I'm not sure you're following the problem. You're thinking of product searches or pure informational searches (the problem extends to those too, but it's less obvious). Think about political searches, and it becomes quite stark.

Do you really not have a problem with Google serving up only one answer to a political question? Or even a thousand answers -- if they all reflect the same political position, that's still a problem. It's even more of a problem if they are customized to the political views of the searcher.

As an example, consider the issue of global warming. Now, there is in fact a vast majority scientific viewpoint on that issue, and it corresponds to a much weaker majority viewpoint among the general population. I happen to agree with that viewpoint, I think it is in some sense factually correct as it is supported by scientific evidence. It has all the makings of a "one right answer." So suppose I do a search for it, and the only websites that come up are ones that support my view.

The problem is, a dissenting view does exist. It's not very credible, IMO, but it exists and in fact has a surprisingly large minority following. It is crucial that people be aware of the dissenting view, if nothing else so that they can prepare themselves to argue against it when their crazy uncle-in-law brings it up over dinner. In general, it is good for people to be aware that others differ from their opinions.

In Google's "one answer" utopia, however, I would never know that from searching Google. I would search and get the "one right answer" which happens to be the correct scientific answer and also the answer corresponding to my personal opinion, and I would never know that some people believe otherwise. That's wrong, it is as tedster stated "anathema to the human spirit," and if you can't see why I'm not sure how much more clearly I can explain it.