If I understood his post and overall point correctly, he doesn’t think that it’s that second possibility — that Google is a benevolent tyrant, essentially — but that that’s the only other explanation, which is bad.
(I agree that the language he used was a bit much, but I think he was using exaggeration as a legitimate literary device to make his point, not in an attempt to actually mischaracterize that scenario.)
He think it’s the first possibility — that Google is doing it for reasons other than the users’ best interests (i.e. “nefarious purposes”) — which is even worse.
I’m the same with several books that I’ve bought over the years.
For a classic book dealing with “big” topics like math, music, and philosophy, it’s surprisingly accessible because Hofstadter is able explain complex things in the simplest way possible, which is a hallmark of great writing (not to mention great intellect).
My aptitude in math is slightly above average at best (and way below among my fellow geeks, who tend to be good at stuff like that), so I think you’ll be fine when you do decide to crack it open.
(I agree that the language he used was a bit much, but I think he was using exaggeration as a legitimate literary device to make his point, not in an attempt to actually mischaracterize that scenario.)
He think it’s the first possibility — that Google is doing it for reasons other than the users’ best interests (i.e. “nefarious purposes”) — which is even worse.