Google was born off of a patent: PageRank. It is unfair to criticize the entire concept of patents when they've guaranteed the just reward for several great, honest inventions.
I read years ago that taking notes about everything diminished our capacity to memorize things. Now I can't remember where I left my notepad ;) (But seriously, exercizing our natural gift of thought is essential for good brain shape.)
Interesting article. I think Google is the most innovative company out there and their success clearly reflects that. But the way they've been handling the web lately does not please me. They shouldn't guide the web, the web should guide them. Web bolsheviksm is an interesting term, i think it'll catch on for this sort of initiative.
