Problems to a Solution with Google search
Ah, those frustrating Google answers.
My relationship with Google search engine was like Tom’s relationship with Jerry – Can’t be without it even if it drove me up the wall, every time. Its infinite wisdom notwithstanding, Google searches invariably resulted in creating Problems to a Solution, not the other way around.
Once stuck, I trusted Google to bail me out. Instead, it spun me in circles with cryptic wisdom and contradictions until I figured—better to keep the problem than search for the solution. Here are some pearls of wisdom Google generously offered as answers to my conundrum:
“Problems are the stepping-stones to success.”
An eternally optimistic quote but a convenient excuse to avoid giving me an actual solution. I was not in the mood for stepping-stones or success that day. I wanted a simple answer. Period.
“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.”
This gem almost made me believe that the problem was my choice. I was not giving into Google’s mind games until I got a simple fix.
“If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good.”
Wow. A philosophical uppercut. Who said anything about worrying?
“I am not smart. I stay with problems longer.”
That was a cheap shot quoting Einstein. He spent his time breaking down teeny tiny atoms, so his problems probably were smaller. ‘Relatively’ speaking, at least!
“There is no problem so complicated that it cannot be run away from.”
Finally! If you can’t fix it, avoid it. A solution I could get behind.
Or so I thought.
“All too frequently, a problem evaded is a crisis invited.”
And just like that, Google ruined it. Evade or not to evade—that was now the question and it pushed me back to square one.
“Sometimes problems don’t require a solution to solve them; instead, they require maturity to outgrow them.”
Great. Just grow older and outgrow your problem. What an elegant answer.
Just as I was about to thank Google, it threw a Googly.
“That’s the real trouble with this world. Too many people grow up.” – Walt Disney
Tom & Jerry might one day make peace with each other, but Google and I? Never. Yet, much like those iconic cartoon rivals, I know I couldn’t live without it either.
And then came #OpenAI.
