Reflecting on 18 years at Google, the author expresses their gratitude for the experience of working at the early post-IPO Google and praises the company’s commitment to doing the right thing. They mention that Google was often criticized for actions that were intended to be good for society, such as Google Books, and highlight the misunderstandings surrounding Chrome, Search, and conflicts of interest with Ads. The author also shares their frustration with privacy advocates and their opposition to Google proposals. They acknowledge that exceptions to Google’s cultural strengths developed over time, impacting transparency and decision-making. The author concludes by stating that Google’s culture has deteriorated and calls for a shake-up at the top to restore the company’s long-term vision for delivering value to users.
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