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The big news of today (yesterday?) is that Google added banner-like ads system to YouTube videos.

So, OK, I fully understand that somehow, they had to get back all that big bugs they invested in YouTube - and the only possible way (and easiest one too! instant cash anyone?) was to add CPM ads… But my question is where is the “legendary” google ads relevancy here?

What happened with the company that wasn’t so happy to add advertisement to the early stage of their search engine because they said it’s not good for the users? Is “not being evil” translated now into “well, you don’t have to be good to your users - just don’t be REALLY evil, otherwise the world is your oyster!”?

Oh, and the last one - I wonder when  someone will figure out somehow how to surpass those ads. Because I’m 100% sure it will happen eventually - just like with any other form of ads out there. People HATE ads, and they will do anything they can to remove them from their life, TV, magazines, websites etc. - unless, such ad have some VALUE for them (like, ironically, Google sponsored links).

And what’s the value in YouTube ads? Next to none? Right. Make sense now.

Australian magazine “The Age” made an interesting research on which of the world cities is best prepared for “digital living” which means that all major world cities were ranked according to broadband speed, cost and availability, wi-fi access, technology adoption, government support for technology and more…

At first I was assuming that US will be on the top of the list with Silicon Valley area listed as #1, then London somewhere in the top 5, and Hong-Kong, Beijing or Munich somewhere around.. but surprise, surprise! Silicon Valley is #6 (ha!), London and Munich are both nowhere near the top 10 (ha, ha!), Beijing is #9 and the top tech capital of the world is… SEOUL! What’s more interesting - 5 out of 10 top tech cities were located in Asia (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing)!

How’s that for roaring globalization (or global shift change) ?

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