The Youth Blog

Google

Google on Wednesday finally removed a racially offensive image of US First Lady Michelle Obama from its search engine on Wednesday.

This image, which had created quite a furore, was on a blog called Hot Girls, which is hosted by Google’s blog service, Blogger. It’s a caricature of Michelle Obama with features of a monkey. This image appeared on top of Google’s list when someone typed in the keywords ‘Michelle Obama’. Later on, Hot Girls put up an apology in Chinese, with a shoddy English translation.

“I am very sorry for this article, and that this is the program automatically issued a document from the article. Do not the subject of race and politics make the discussion too radical and sincere hope that the world is very peaceful,” is what the blog said.

 The whole episode definitely serves as a reminder to the supposedly bravehearted exercisers of freedom of speech, reminding them that there is a certain code and certain ethics to be followed while expressing something on the internet.

 Initially, Google had said, on the image of Michelle Obama, that it wasn’t its policy to remove offensive material.

 “Sometimes Google search results from the Internet can include disturbing content, even from innocuous queries. We assure you that the views expressed by such sites are not in any way endorsed by Google,” the search engine had said.

Sesame Street- a Google logo

Sesame Street- the TV show that you practically grew up with and still turn to when you need some innocent fun to unwind is celebrating its 40^th birthday (though most like to call it anniversary.. I prefer otherwise) today!

Michelle Obama, the first lady of The United States of America is the lucky celeb who gets to be a part of the celebrations. I call her lucky, and not the show since I feel it must be so exciting to get a chance to talk to ridiculously huge and adorable canaries. Actually, not just talk. Michelle Obama will in fact get the opportunity to teach some kids how to grow cucumbers.

Sesame Street has come a long way since its premier on November 10, 1969 on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).  In these 4o years, it has won numerous awards and gained a lot of critical acclaim. Today Sesame Street touches millions of lives. It’s impact is so huge that google has come out with large, high resolution images…a birthday gift I guess.

So here’s wishing Bert, Ernie, Big bird, all the other muppets AND Elmo (my favourite!.. a little partiality never hurt anyone) a very Happy Birthday!

Elmo! The furriest..cutest muppet