Google Goes Sesame Street

I think that Google is so international so if they need to comemorate one American thing they have to also make a google loggo of when the Swedish prime minister was shot. America is not the world!

Can you tell not only me but to everybody how could we stop displaying those “sesame street” stupid characters? Maybe it is better for google to create a special link for kids or those with kid’s mentality? There are so may exciting and serious things happen in the world, so many really important things to remember, but I see that stupidity in broadcat decisions and “fun oriented culture” prevails at google, and even worse, google enforses this debilitating culture upon everybody… Is this time to chose another search engine, other than google? …
Thanks for your time,
Vik

Britons had our own variant of the attack, known as the 7/7 bombings. Did anyone moan about Google not giving that a mention this year? Nope. Google prioritizes current news if it matters more, not old hat.

We all know it happened, we don’t need regular annual tributes for something which has happened, affects a relatively small number of people (compared to other historical events) and can’t be changed.

When compared to other disasters, i’d say the damage done to good TV when 11/09 rolls around each year greatly outweighs the death toll dealt by the attack itself.

So why not Pearl Harbor Day, D-Day, the days the bomb was dropped on Japan?

9/11 is also my son-in-law’s birthday.

If we mark every occasion that something horrid happened in history with a memorial, where does it stop? And what if that day is also a day of celebration for someone else?

I think this issue is paramount in the credibility of the very powerful influence Google has. Its no mistake the power of the Google Doodle. I’ve watched as they’ve used this powerful advertising placement more and more….and for very unique things. I’m not quite sure if I think its “wrong”…ultimately it’s their business and that depends on their goals along with their shareholders. However, from a balanced media critique standpoint, I feel it is a window into the heart of their moral guidelines…a picture into what they believe they owe the billions of readers that visit this homepage. And its clear, in my opinion, they do not feel they owe anything more than personal agenda….which is quite scary. I’m going to check out some other search engines today as well. I have been using google (with no substitute) for probably ten years…but today…I just feel they have too much power that is not being responsibly controlled. I guess I should add that I feel this way not because they are promoting things with the google doodle…but because of the things they choose to promote…things that seem to clearly have biased opinions involved or things that are not generally benefical to all humanity….the google doodle is probably the single most powerful ad placement in the world (in my guess, today) and it should either be identified as an advertisement or kept as balanced reporting or be possitive for all humanity equally. so now that sounds like i think it is wrong…well….maybe i just feel its wrong for me. i’ll have to think about that more.

Whenever I have an option I always use a google competitor. Sesame Street is just the latest, what with all the privacy problems and letting the Chinese dictate freedom of the net that they would howl loud and clear if the Bush admin had tried.

I had the same thought. I got into work today and was greeted by two puppets with dumb smirks on their faces. Day 3 of this ‘celebration’. I ‘googled’ the question ‘Why Sesame Street and not 9/11 on google’ and got a link to this post.

I read just this week how mother Google can change this graphic by region, as perhaps those in Europe would have little care for Sesame Street characters, so in one case they celebrated Wallace and Gromit in Great Brittan for its 20th anniversary.

If that is so then why didn’t they mark 9/11 strictly to the U.S.?
What, that is not possible?
You mean you can paste ads on the side of g-mail window based on a single word like ‘Pizza’ in a message but you can’t make a simple tribute to 9/11 if I am coming in from a US ip range?

What Google is so full of foreign employees that someone may get offended at the office?

Keep your stupid puppets up there google. Way to back the land that lets you exist. A simple American Flag at half mast would have been the decent thing to do.
That could have been the ‘l’.
I’ll check out Bing now too.

Hey guys, just testing my gravatar…

Oh, Gravatars are set automatically here…

Hmm, is Bing celebrating 9-11? I don’t know because I don’t use it.

I realize how this is going to be taken but here goes. I could not disagree more; in the US we have Memorial Day to remember the fallen. We (as a whole) do not set aside individual days for specific tragic war related events.
As for Sesame Street, it has helped teach 10s of millions of children academic subjects such as letter & number recognition, reading, math, history, etc., not to mention more social topics including manners, morals, personal responsibility, friendship, trust, handling death, birth, divorce, adoption, and many other.
While the events of 9-11-2001 had a more sudden and horrifying affect on our world, I believe arguments could made to support the opinion that Sesame Street has just as big of an influence.

In Indonesia is also a Jalan Sesama, Sesame Street version of Indonesia

I’m an American, and I think that this entire issue is completely selfish and self serving. WWW means the “World Wide Web”, and I find it rather arrogant that people take issue with an international search engine not acknowledging our own personal tragedy. THIS is the American arrogance other countries speak of, because we act like the entire world revolves around us and our issues.

We have Pearl Harbor, the Virginia Tech incident, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ike, the Columbine High incident… All just in the United States.

Where does it end? Taking a strong stance on 9/11 would bust pandora’s box wide open. You’d end up hearing complaints from every country every time any event is overlooked. is overlooked. And, with the amount of terrorist attacks that have happened world wide, you’d effectively create a 365-day a year memorial to the dead, which I doubt is Google’s or even Bing’s aim.

Jack,

First of all Google Doodle is *NOT* advertising. Google is not sponsored or paid any money when they decide to alter their front logo. So stop referring to it in that manner. It’s totally incorrect and inaccurate.

Are you even aware that Google loses over 100 million per year for having the “I’m feeling lucky button” on their front page because it bypasses search results that would otherwise show sponsored ads. Gee, why dont they take that button away it’s costing them money… Gee I wonder.. Duhh

And now you say you’re going to ‘try other search engines’? Google’s search results have always been 100% ORGANIC. Bing, Yahoo are known to insert sponsored ads into the results without any notice to the user. And yet you think you are competent enough to criticize Google’s advertising techniques like you do in your comment that’s stuffed with idiotic ‘intellectual sounding jargon’.

Sad, sad, sad.

I think we need to get over it… I would much rather look at something from a happier time in my life than a tragedy!! even more since this economy is so bad. stop whining people!

i think its great. people who have got upset at the sesame street theme just need to slow down and enjoy the different ways that people try to make them smile. i liked it thanks google

Who cares! Yes I said it! Who cares! I get so sick and tired of people complaining just to be complaining. Google does this all of the time. On Halloween there were ghosts. On Thanksgiving there will be a turkey. This is what they do and frankly I find it quite entertaining to see how many ways they can actually spell GOOGLE by using so many caricatures. I understand that 9/11 was a day that changed the nation however, there are so many horrific events that have taken place in this country and frankly I really don’t want to have to remember them all the time. I would prefer to celebrate the fact that I was blessed enough to have another day and enjoy my life while I am still here because the reality is that we all have to go one way or another. I loved Sesame Street and I am really enjoying opening up my page everyday to one of the friendly puppets that remind me of my childhood.

Get over it and enjoy Google’s gift of something or someone specific to think about when they change their homepage!! Who says Google won’t commemorate 9/11? Give them 40 years, like this anniversary of Sesame Street, before you abandon the site. I love how it’s peaceful and white most of the year – with only a “sometimes” pictoral text change/enhancement, and there is always an explanation, so you can widen your knowledge or experience of what is noteworthy! Enjoy and carpe diem, instead of carping!

I like the puppets. It brought a smile to myself when I saw the cookie monster. When I think about what I’d like to remember – Sesame Street or 9/11 I’m gonna go with Sesame Street.
C is for Cookie and that’s good enough for me.

Sesame street is not of interest to most of the world. At best it is a typical, childish US TV series. Some would claim it’s better than most (US series), while others would see it as every bit as peurile as most things from the US ‘entertainment’ culture, Hollywood, soaps and the ‘World’ series included. That so much attention is given to it advertises to the world the ‘depth’ of US culture. The surprise is that Google doesn’t keep discretely quiet about it.

Regarding 9/11, there are many atrocities committed every day. The US has itself, built up a pretty ‘good’ track record. Perhaps some people find it easier to overlook this by regularly refocusing on one of the few of which it was on the receiving end. The reality of war, the ultimate and primitive quest for power by killing other people, is that it shows the lowest of humanity at its lowest. Unless the species learns this it will continue to have some of the characteristics of the lowest form of life on the planet, even if the ‘cleverest’.

i actually enjoy opening the google search page whenever it welcomes me with the “google” word that are creatively done that never fails to make me smile. This week was no different. Seeing Big bird’s feet was just refreshing as I take a trip to memory lane as the sesame street song starts playing in my head. I may be from the Philippines but i grew up watching sesame street. I may be 26 now but seeing the sesame characters brings out the young boy in me as i think about the characters i fell in love with like cookie monster, big bird and ernie. So yeah, get over it.

Google is regionlised. So is the ‘banner’ !

See here:- http://www.google.com/logos/

So why inflict Sesame street on the rest of us, for several days?

Today in the UK (08/11/2009) is Rememrance Sunday.
The Sunday before Armistice Day.
So why isn’t Google.co.uk Displaying a red Poppy?

I think Google is trying to spice up it’s homepage since it looks pretty bland compared to some like Bing. However, I am not liking today’s Elmo logo. The double imposed image of the words “Google” are just a bit tacky.

I agree with the above poster that since Google is so international that it should concentrate on images that pertain to the global community.

I’m ready to leave Google because of this. It’s not that we would be celebrating a horrific attack on America, it would be that we remember those left in its wake. We remember the sacrifice that so many families have made and that we care!

I would have tolerated an one day Sesame Street commemoration, but a week? Please!

Google is not just available to Americans. Why drone on about Sept 11th every year when we can celebrate internationally known programming that’s educational and still fun after all these years for one week on an anniversary year? After dong my college senior thesis on puppetry, I feel that people don’t give Sesame Street enough credit because they see see it as a silly kids’ show. I find it amazing that some foam and material on the hands and minds of creative geniuses has endured and succeeded with credibility for 40 years on television so they must be doing something right. Why not show some appreciation with another creative form, like a Google graphic? For those who want to whine because Sept 11th is not remembered in every creative outlet, or outlet in general, and wish to “search” else where… let them. I like to put a smile on my face at a piece of my childhood instead of rolling my eyes at another memorial to one tragic day of my life that I’ll never forget already.

Am I the only one who’s noticed that 9-11 happened in September and Google is commemorating Sesame Street in November? Yeah, I know they didn’t have a doodle for 9-11 back in September either, but why are you people harping on about it now? Besides, isn’t it their right to decide to celebrate upbeat subjects rather than downers? Also, most of us don’t need a reminder that something terrible happened on September 11. How many of us remember that Sesame Street is 40 years old this year? Thank you Google for reminding me.

oh don’t be ridiculous! Sesame Street is just a cute thing that happens to resonate in the hearts of millions of Americans and has for many years! Everyone recognizes Big Bird and even Elmo as they float down the street in the Macy’s Day Parade.

As for 9/11… How many tragic days and events have we had throughout U.S. history? How many lives have been lost? How many wars have been fought? Google would have something tragic up on its webpage every day of the week if they wanted to go down this road.

Our country is not forgetting that fateful tragic day… but our country is healing.

Sesame street is adorable… and the characters traipsing across my search engine screen every morning have made me smile. A break from the desolate norm. I am sure they have produced smiles world-wide this week.

It hasn’t changed the search engines performance in the least… get over it! People really change their search engines because they find Elmo offending? I mean, I know Big Bird isn’t always easy on the eyes… with all of his vibrantly colored yellowish feathers… but really it’s cute, it’s harmless, it’s smile-producing. For every person that disliked it… I’d be willing to bet that at least four more smiled :)

I cannot believe that you people are complaining about this nonsense. Who cares what graphics they put up? Boycotting Google because they would not put up a tribute to 9/11? Selfish Americans always complain about what they can’t have instead of being thankful for what they do have. If we put this much energy into something worthwhile, we might be closer to a cure for cancer or AIDS, or making sure our homeless Americans have enough food to eat and a warm place to sleep.

I agree with Linsgard on this one. A few weeks ago Google showed Gahdhi’s face to remember his birthday. Before that, Google went black for a day to symbolise green energy. I like that now and then Google changes things up a little and so far it’s always been for a positive thought or thing to be remembered. The fact that so far their variety has not really included any politics is neutral and sticking to a brighter side. There’s nothing wrong with that…
If we are to remember 9/11 then we should also comemmorate Remembrance Day, the US independence day, the Canadian independence day, Britney Spears’ Birthday, the Burkina Faso Independence Day, etc! Capisce?

Lighten up. Google is used by people worldwide and it has so far chosen items recognised and appreciated worldwide.

Its Just A Doodle!!!!!!! Get Real People!!

I think your friend’s reaction is a testament to how much Google has become part of modern society. It takes a good deal of popularity to strike up such feelings of controversy. However, I must disagree with him.

Who ever said it was Google’s job to commemorate every event? I am sorry your friend decided to be short-sided and view THIS as his deciding factor, because it has always been common knowledge that Google picks and chooses. Besides, it’s just as you said: loading the Sesame Street characters is “fun and whimsical.” 9/11, though a major mark in US history, is just the opposite. As much as I enjoy Google’s little celebration, I would equally hate having feel a little pit in my stomach every time I need to make a query. If I wanted to be blasted with 9/11 despair every turn, I’ll watch Glenn Beck.

I really like LC’s comment about Pearl Harbour, D-Day and so on. Yes, 9-11 was an enormous tragedy and no one denies that, but tragedies happen EVERY DAY all over the world and go completely innoticed! Why is it the percieved social responsibility of Google to commemorate the anniversary of 9-11? It isn’t!!!…If Google lost one visitor because they didn’t like the Sesame Street inferences, then so be it. That particular visitor will find something else to complain about at Bing and the next search engine and so on. Complaining for the sake of complaining….real attractive! Based on the majority of comments on this topic, we like Google just the way it is. Don’t go changin!

I think you all have missed the biger picture. How many times have you seen the big G have a similar event on there home page for so many days. My guess is something is going to be launched, announced or something exiting soon.

I’m just bored with the Sesame Street doodles. Are we going to have 40 years of them? Enough already.

Has Google ever published anything indicating their logo graphic’s policies? Or is it all based upon the like/dislikes and whims of the staff? Be nice to know.

I myself only saw an occasional Sesame Street as an adult. Intellectually I understand the connection for those who grew up with the show. However, a single tribute graphic (like today’s [Nov 10), would have sufficed, not an entire week of it.

It’s beginning to look like someone is unusually nostalgic for their TV childhood at Google. Since Google is my Home page, I’m getting rather tired of the repeating theme. Even the moon landing only got one graphic. How about eight days of Hanukkah graphics?

a lot of people think 9/11 was an inside job .. imagine what would they think if google put this up on there webpage .. honestly i dont know what to think if i saw that up there but i know it would be risky too do so.

as far as seasme street goes I couldnt believe it when I saw it or understood why it was up there i guess its an anniversay but yeah I agree adults dont want to see that shit but hey its not a big deal. whatever floats your boat.

If we can celebrate Big Bird day after day after day adter day, I dont think it that big a deal to have one simple day dedicated to 9/11. But seeing as how Sesame Street has taken to making fun of FOX News lately I guess their reward by all the ilbs that run Google is to give them days and days of free publicity.

If you are truly upset over unoffensive pictures of cartoons on a search engine you need to get a life.

I dont think this is a result of Google not caring, more so it’s a result of not being able to cover every locations issues and concerns effectively. Sesame Street is know all over the world. Not saying that other events are not imporatant but, Google can’t be everywhere for everyone all the time. And I know as adults we are suppose to focus on “serious issues and business” however, once upon a time we were all chidren. And just becuase you dont see it or hear about it doesnt mean money and programs are not being helped behind the scenes to help 09/11 or any other tramatic event for that matter. Tax write offs are a wonderful thing lest ye forget, reguardless of the reason.

Sesame St is seen in countries all over the world. 9/11 may have “changed the world” for us in the US, but for others across the globe, armed attacks & warfare are much more common. We don’t seem to have gotten over ourselves yet. Yes, 9/11 was a tragedy. Tragedies are happening every day. & Who wants to be reminded of a tragedy?

I am getting sick and tired of this Sesame Street sh*t, one or two days is fine, but what the hell is this, I use google to search up things while I am doing buisness or schoolwork (which is serious stuff), and seeing a picture of the Cookie Monster just get’s on my nerves :S

There are rumurs that this stuff is going to go on for the rest of the month?! I might have to switch to Bing until this crap winds down…

As for the 9/11 thing, if they do a sketch for that, then they need to do a sketch for important events in other nationality’s (because Google is not just in the US), and I don’t think they want to do that at the moment, mostly because they probably don’t want to offend anyone by not doing a sketch of an important day in their country and give the look that America’s 9/11 is more important then their respective day. Lol, I especially don’t think Google wants to go to China’s firewall xD

Nobody would have complained had it been one day, but a whole week of this crap?

How is Sesame Street 5+ times more important than any other event?

^^^

I fully agree dude

I dunno, it’s a lot of hate for the muppets that brought us OM NOM NOM.

Seriously though, as an educational phenomenon, Sesame Street is lauded for possibly being one of the first experiences in literacy for some children. ANd that’s commendable.

Yes, unfortunately there was no 9/11 graphic. But if you follow their trend of what they call “Holiday Logos” they seem to illustrate mostly celebratory and eschew implicit war and violence topics. At least in my scanning of 2008 & 2009. (see: http://www.google.com/logos/index.html) Remember, no matter what institution you think they are, they are still a company and will avoid potentially controversial material.

Besides. would you *really* want to see a tribute to the innocent civilians and heroes of 9/11 reduced to a cutesy “Holiday Logo?” In the same space that they celebrated Crop circles and muppets? I know I would not want to have the freeing of Auschwitz reduced to a cute graphic of a starving human posing as the Google “l” or see the bombing of Pearl harbor glorified with the letter “o” as an explosion blooming from a Navy vessel.