Each week, we comb over our reading lists to offer you new perspectives on the biggest topics in marketing, technology and business. This week, we’re diving into some new developments in the tech world, as well as shake-ups in advertising and questions over big data.
Google has a new motto: With Google’s parent company christening itself Alphabet earlier this year, the search engine and advertising giant also has a new motto, rendering its classic “Don’t be evil” tagline obsolete. The new one? Well, it’s similar but perhaps more practical, reports the Wall Street Journal, which looked through the company’s new code of conduct. (Read more at the Wall Street Journal)
Data isn’t infallible: Tech writer Alexis Madrigal often dives into big topics that digital progress brings into our lives, such as his idea of the Internet as an overwhelming stream of information. In his latest, Madrigal explores how easily scientific data, which we rely upon to make everyday decisions, can be manipulated, tweaked or defeated entirely by humans, whether intentionally or not. It’s an important read for any of us who rely on metrics in our business or personal lives. (Read more at Fusion)
What to do about ads: The advertising industry held its annual week-long national conference in New York earlier this year, and advertising executives struggled to articulate strong visions and strategies for the future. In an era where ad blocking is becoming ubiquitous and challenging advertisers to think more creatively about their work, execs were split on how to create ads that users will actually watch or, even better, actually seek out. (Read more at Ad Age)
Changing ideas of privacy: The Awl’s John Hermann has become a leading prognosticator of the digital age with his insightful takes on the media business and the way we interact with each other online. His take on privacy examines the ways we are reinventing what we consider private space in light of new technologies that both open up our lives and expose much more of our private information to potentially public scrutiny. (Read more at The Awl)