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Terminator Nemesis Looks Familiar: It's Google

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2009 2:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Could Google be SkyNet from the Terminator movies? Chris Dannen sees a resemblance, he writes for Fast Company. Heck, Google might be worse; SkyNet didn’t take over until 2029, but Google managed it by 2009. “Sure, one uses a giant Web crawler to index pages,” Dannen allows, “and the other uses a giant arsenal of automated nuclear super-weapons to extinguish the human race.” Minor quibbles aside, here’s how they stack up:  

  • Started in: Google: 1998, by cybergeek students; Skynet: 1997, by Cyberdyne Systems.
  • Initial Costs: Google: $1.1 million; SkyNet: 3 billion human lives.
  • Scaled up by…: Google: Selling ads; SkyNet: Gaining sentience.
  • Partners: Google: NASA/Ames, Sun Microsystems, AOL/Time Warner; SkyNet: Army of cyborgs.
  • Potential Downfall: Google: Antitrust laws; SkyNet: Governor of California
  • Loves Having: Google: YouTube; SkyNet: You to burn.
  • Secret Shame: Google: Name a misspelling of “googol”; SkyNet: Saw Spielberg’s AI, cried.

A woman talks on her cell phone while using a laptop at a ceremony to launch Google's free music download service for China in Beijing, March 30, 2009.
A woman talks on her cell phone while using a laptop at a ceremony to launch Google's free music download service for China in Beijing, March 30, 2009.   (AP Photo)
In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros., Christian Bale is shown in a scene from Terminator Salvation.
In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros., Christian Bale is shown in a scene from "Terminator Salvation."   (AP Photo)
Terminator Salvation Showcases Oakley S.I. Assault Boot (TM)
"Terminator Salvation" Showcases Oakley S.I. Assault Boot (TM)   (PRNewsFoto/Oakley, Inc.)
The Google headquarters sign is seen in Mountain View, Calif., in a 2005 file photo.
The Google headquarters sign is seen in Mountain View, Calif., in a 2005 file photo.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Jes
May 25, 2009 3:58 AM CDT
No, this is just fail.
RobN
May 22, 2009 8:49 AM CDT
Is this nerd humor?

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