In its quest to provide the best search results, Google wants to start factoring in the truthfulness of sites into its search rankings. But, it raises the old question Pilate once asked Jesus…
What is Truth?
The quality of web sources has been traditionally evaluated using exogenous signals such as the hyperlink structure of the graph. We propose a new approach that relies on endogenous signals, namely, the correctness of factual information provided by the source.
That seems to makes sense, doesn’t it? We all would prefer to see websites that have factually accurate information than misinformation.
But who determines what is a fact?
This could be particularly concerning for Christians who hold some views that are unpopular.
How old is the earth?
We’re all familiar with the theory of evolution. While it is by definition theory, there are some people who treat evolution as fact. How will Google treat it? Will a website that states God created the universe and everything in it be penalized as factually inaccurate?
Search Google for “How old is the earth?” and Google doesn’t just provide a list of list of links, but it states at the top of the page, “4.54 billion years.” It seems to treat that as fact.
Currently, below the “fact” about the earth’s age, there are several links to creationist websites that discuss and debate the age of the earth from a biblical perspective. But the question is… once Google implements TruthRank will websites that say the earth is 5,000 to 10,000 years old be penalized?
Other disputed “facts”
While the age of the earth is one disputed fact, there are many views that Google could decide are “factually inaccurate,” including…
- The bible is the inerrant word of God
- Jesus was born of a virgin
- Jesus rose from the dead
- Jesus is God
- Jesus is the only way to God
- Heaven and hell are real places
- God created marriage to be between one man and one woman
- God created sex to be enjoyed exclusively between married couples
- Life begins at conception
Will Google penalize websites that claim these views? Or will Google recognize that certain beliefs are a matter of worldview and it is in its best interest to show a diversity of worldviews in its search results so people are able to examine all the evidence and decide for themselves which they believe is truth?
Perhaps George Orwell was right…
If you think that’s true, go ahead and share it.
What do you think about TruthRank? Good idea? Bad idea? Why?
2 Comments
Hi Paul. I stumbled on this article (from Google) when doing some research into tools that allow web users to rank site data by factual evidence-based information. I am an atheist (or rather I’m 9 parts atheist and 1 part agnostic – subject to change based on available evidence). As someone who grew up in a household that went to church every Sunday and whose Aunt is a Catholic nun, I am somewhat versed in Christian belief, although likely nowhere near your level.
I wanted to comment on this article because I think that it is a commonly misrepresented point that Christians somehow live in a time where they are largely looked down on or are oppressed because of their beliefs. The quote, “This could be particularly concerning for Christians who hold some views that are unpopular.” is indicative of the kind of thing I’m talking about.
Christian beliefs are not unpopular. In fact (as many religious people will gladly cite as one of the many proofs of God) belief in God and particularly the Christian God of the bible is massive. The number of human beings that are generally religious is even greater – something like ~80% of the planet?
Surely then, you cannot claim to have unpopular beliefs?
I agree with you that because of Google’s largely dominant position in the search market there is a danger that they become the arbiter of what is considered factual to the detriment of some groups, but surely you are not *really* expecting fact-based algorithms to consider provably false claims like the earth is 5000 years old in the same league as a scientifically researched, peer reviewed estimate of the current age of planet earth?
If I were writing an algorithm like this, I would find a way to give it an understanding of the “trustability” of the information being presented. For “trustability”, read scientific method-based peer reviewed, scrutinised, objectively reasoned arguments.
If we forget Christianity for a second and pick on something else that I would suspect you would agree with me is absurd: Flying Spaghetti Monster. Should Google give the same weight to the argument that the universe was created by the FSM as the weight given to a scientifically thought out argument about the age of the Earth? What about FSM vs Christianity? Which is more factual?
When you boil down the arguments to their ingredients you are left with only what can be presented as evidence. Bible? That is out, it is only evidence that someone (or a groups of people) can write a book. Flying Spaghetti Monster? That’s out, no-one has any evidence for FSM.
This is the problem you need to address. When you deal in evidence-based arguments the issue is clear, more evidence, better research, more peer review = better chance of something being factual.
Since religion cannot provide evidence it is going to get very low marks in any algorithm. Should you be concerned? Of course not! No-one who believes in God cares what Google thinks. That is the fundamental thing about belief: Belief is by definition not based on evidence. If you had evidence it wouldn’t be called belief anymore!
Hi Rob, I appreciate your reply. As someone who believes in God, I do care what Google thinks because millions of people search God looking for spiritual answers. If Google were to give lower search rankings to pages with a Christian worldview (or remove them entirely) because it thinks they are not true, then people seeking information online about Jesus will have a harder time finding it.
Imagine if the opposite happened… Imagine if Google decided atheism is false, after all there is no way to prove anything does not exist, so it’s impossible to prove God doesn’t exist. Would you care if Google eliminated all pages discussing atheism from its search results? Don’t you agree people ought to be able to get info about all perspectives on a topic and make up their own minds?
Additionally, belief is not independent of evidence. Only scientific laws are provable with 100% certainty. For everything else, we believe it’s true or false based on evidence. In court the standard is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” You might be surprised to hear there is actually more evidence for God’s existence than for atheism. If you’re genuinely interested in evidence and reason, consider picking up a copy of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Have-Enough-Faith-Atheist/dp/1581345615 If you do, let me know what you think.