Googability

Googling my name is an activity not unfamiliar to me. I have, over the years, searched out every like-named person in the world. I can tell you the professional career stats of French singer Eric Raynal, the location of the dentistry practice of C. Eric Raynal (DDS), or the numerous writings of Eric Raynal submitted to the annual Crooked Tree Arts Council writing contest (that one is me). The limited number of Eric's in the world (three only!) give me a better sense of identity, as well as belonging. I feel a special connection with the other two in the world, even though the dentist only half counts. I mean, cmon. He doesn't even use his first name.

I feel a bit overwhelmed when Google can tell the searcher my friends on Facebook, or where I'm located, but then again, the Internet was designed to bring people together. It's a gift and a curse. The trend in the increasing amount of information available online can be compared to two extremely interesting historical cases: the story of Prometheus, providing fire to the humans as a blessing, but bringing a curse upon himself and all mankind, and also with the myth surrounding the Hand of Mysteries. Many interesting debates are raised regarding the power of online searches, from practical applications to esoteric societies.