1. Returning search to its roots
a short presentation on the implications of
“hyperlocal search engine” technologies
My name is Miljenko Williams
When asked to define what I do, I tend to say
blogger, proofreader and language trainer
But I think what I really like to do is (maybe)
waste my time, wondering how technologies
could truly empower ordinary people and
communities
6. Though even in 2001, search
RESULTS looked like this!
So have they turned
us into truffle-finding
pigs – working for
them more than us?
Alternatively, maybe,
a case of rose-tinted
search on my part?
Or do we need to
make search work
more for us? Can we
take back control?
9. Possible implications of something
like chester.one (I)
Instead of an atomised, individualised,
unshareable search, which may also already
be serving to atomise community, we create
a search environment which produces exactly
the same results for every single person
who accesses the data!
10. Possible implications of something
like chester.one (II)
A shareable search means:
we can create community
we can both develop society-wide self-
perceptions better and control what the
outside world sees, says, believes and asks of
us
we can build and implement hyperlocal
attitudes and behaviours more quickly
11. Possible implications of something
like chester.one (III)
A shareable search ultimately means:
we can even begin to own the narrative
communicate our stories without fear of often
powerful global interventions
understand ourselves better, sooner and more
accurately
define our own needs, stories and trajectories before
others do so on our behalf
in essence, empower hyperlocal
12. How to take back control of
hyperlocal-impacting search and
information (I)
Customise your very own
search engine
Include only the URLs that
describe your community
accurately, fairly and
productively
Always be open about
inclusion criteria
Be proactive, resilient and
community-minded in your
goals
13. How to take back control of
hyperlocal-impacting search and
information (II)
But remember: hyperlocal
search does not have to be an
anti-global, anti-big biz strategy
First and foremost:
it allows you to assertively define
your community on its own
terms
at the same time as providing a
window for the outside world to
understand you much better;
much faster; and much more
efficiently
14. Images used in this presentation
Slide 6, courtesy of
https://www.flickr.com/photos/searchengineland
/2905581056/
Screenshots of chester.one search and of
google.co.uk search using Miljenko Williams'
search history, courtesy of the latter user
All other images, courtesy of Wikipedia
Commons