June 11th, 2008
GOOG CEO says "Don't Be evil" is misunderstood
This is interesting. Take a look at this story in which Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, says the company’s mantra of “Don’t be evil” is often misunderstood.
Reuters’ Eric Auchard: Google CEO talks of good, evil and monopoly fears
In an on-stage interview with writer Ken Auletta of the New Yorker magazine, Schmidt said “Don’t be evil” is meant to provoke internal debate over what constitutes ethical corporate behavior, rather than representing an absolute moral position.
“We don’t have an ‘Evilmeter’ we can sort of apply — you know — what is good and what is evil,” Schmidt said. . .
What is there to misunderstand? I would have thought determining what is good and what is evil is quite clear.
Mr Schmidt seems to be saying that being “evil” is open to debate.
Maybe GOOG will adopt the following changes:
- Don’t be quite so evil
- Don’t be really really evil
- Don’t be evil-ish
Anyone have any other suggestions? (Or moral pointers?)
Tom Foremski reports on the business and culture of Silicon Valley at the intersection of technology and media. He also writes at Silicon Valley Watcher. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to Tom Foremski: IMHO via Email alerts or RSS.
Follow on Twitter:
| 06/12/08
