The document discusses the implications of "hyperlocal search engine" technologies that allow communities to take back control of search and information. It suggests that current search engines may atomize communities and control their narratives. Hyperlocal search engines like Chester One that produce identical results for all users could empower communities by allowing them to define themselves, build shared perceptions and behaviors, communicate their own stories, and understand their needs before others define them. The document outlines how communities can take back control of search impacting their area by customizing their own search engine and curating what information represents them accurately.

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

2. Returning search to its roots

3. Returning search to its roots

4. In the beginning, search was good ...

5. In 1998, search was better ...

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?

7. Check this out ...

8. Now compare with chester.one ...

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

15. Returning search to its roots