Michael Brown

Many people online, myself included, were initially upset about the perceived removal of Black History Month and other culturally relevant days from Google Calendar. It seemed to some like this change reflected a broader societal shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, that wasn’t the case.

Here’s what Google had to say about the change:

“Some years ago, the Calendar team started manually adding a broader set of moments in a wide number of countries around the world — things like cultural celebrations, teachers days and many more. We got feedback that many other events and countries were missing, and it just wasn’t feasible to put hundreds of moments in everyone’s calendars — so in mid-2024 we made the decision to simplify and show only public holidays and national observances from timeanddate.com. Contrary to some of the comments on social media, this was not something we did just this year.

Some important things to note:

Showing public holidays and national observances, rather than a broader set of moments, is consistent with other major online calendar providers. Google Calendar is also customizable, so users can more easily add important moments to their calendar.

As a company, we continue to celebrate and promote a variety of cultural moments across our products, visible to people everywhere — as you saw in the last few weeks with Black History Month and Lunar New Year.”

I admit, I was duped by these headlines that caused my frustration.

The Verge, specifically, was the first headline and article I read on the subject and I was infuriated. The Verge even made sure to make Google’s clarification on the change as far under the fold and away from the reader’s eyes as possible. The Verge’s article emphasized the negative aspects of the change. Though I don’t like it and Google is still doing things I’m not 100% okay with, it’s stuff like this that happens that frustrates me with The Verge sometimes. Ultimately, as a reader, I need to do a better job at not letting headlines get the best of me.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s recent blog post, “Our Big Bets for 2025," isn’t just a corporate update; it’s a super interesting peek into where online video and entertainment are headed. It’s pretty clear that YouTube isn’t just along for the ride; they’re trying to steer the whole darn thing. Let’s break down what these “big bets” tell us about YouTube’s plans and how they might affect, well, everyone.

Mohan’s claim that “YouTube is the epicenter of culture” is spot on, right? From viral dances to breaking news, YouTube’s fingerprints are all over what we watch, share, and talk about. It’s become a massive cultural force, and I’m excited to see how they double down on this in the future. Imagine even cooler tools for spotting and boosting new trends, giving creators an even bigger stage to connect with their fans.

The “YouTubers are the new Hollywood startups” thing is a perfect example of how YouTube’s empowered creators. It’s not just a hobby anymore; making YouTube videos is a real career, with creators building serious businesses and influencing millions of people. YouTube getting this and supporting its creators is key. More tools, resources, and ways to make money will only help this growth, creating a dynamic community of talent and innovation.

The “YouTube is the new television” narrative has been around for a while, but Mohan’s emphasis shows just how much things have changed. With smart TVs everywhere, YouTube’s a major player in our living rooms, going head-to-head with traditional TV. This changes everything, from ads and content to how we even define “television.” And speaking of the living room, let’s not forget YouTube Primetime! Even though their own original shows might have missed the mark, offering live sports like NBA and WNBA games, plus other premium content, makes YouTube a one-stop shop for entertainment. Smart move.

The focus on AI is probably the most interesting “big bet." AI’s already a big part of YouTube’s algorithms and how things work, but the future possibilities are mind-blowing. Think AI-powered video editing, automatic captions and translations making videos more accessible, and even AI-generated content (with some safety nets, hopefully). The potential is huge, and it could totally change how we make and watch videos. Beyond the headlines, the blog post has some cool stats. YouTube’s dominance in podcasts, for example, is surprising but also makes sense. More podcast integration could be a game-changer for creators and listeners. And with more people watching YouTube on their TVs, YouTube’s focus on connected TVs and better streaming is a smart move.

Looking ahead, YouTube’s 2025 vision is ambitious and optimistic. They’re not just keeping up with change; they’re trying to lead the way. By betting on creators, tech, and their role as a cultural hub, YouTube’s setting itself up for a big future in media and entertainment. It’s going to be fun to watch what happens next. And hey, even the comments section is a whole lot better than it used to be, right? (Okay, maybe not always.)

Google tells employees why it’s ending DEI hiring goals

Alex Heath from The Verge states, “The rationale is linked to Google being a federal contractor and “recent court decisions and U.S. Executive Orders on this topic”. Many people already feel a certain negative way about Google being a federal contractor. This just rubs salt into the wound even more.

Though Google said it “would maintain its resource groups for underrepresented employees." Google has had many issues in the past about diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’ll be closely watching Google’s “Belonging” site and any changes there that the team, lead by Melonie Parker, makes.

Google has made a troubling decision. That’s what I thought after reading the headline, “Google Lifts a Ban on Using Its AI for Weapons and Surveillance,” on my Google News feed. My first thought was of Google’s former motto, “Don’t be evil.” Though those words were removed years ago, many hoped that some vestige of that ethos remained internally. Now, it appears Google is continuing to dismantle its ethical framework.

In 2018, as the AI race accelerated, Google published its “AI Principles,” outlining applications they would not pursue. I applauded Google for these commitments:

We will not design or deploy AI in the following application areas:

1. Technologies that cause or are likely to cause overall harm. Where there is a material risk of harm, we will proceed only where we believe that the benefits substantially outweigh the risks, and will incorporate appropriate safety constraints.

2. Weapons or other technologies whose principal purpose or implementation is to cause or directly facilitate injury to people.

3. Technologies that gather or use information for surveillance violating internationally accepted norms.

4. Technologies whose purpose contravenes widely accepted principles of international law and human rights.

While some might consider these the bare minimum for a company of Google’s size, many wondered if they would uphold them. It seems that cautious optimism has given way to “I told you so,” as Google has revised these “principles.” As Wired reported, Google executives cited the growing use of AI, evolving standards, and geopolitical competition as the reasons for revising their principles.

What was overhauled? Conspicuously absent is the entire section from 2018 regarding prohibited AI applications. The “overhauled” principles now focus on three aspects: Bold Innovation, Responsible Development and Deployment, and Collaborative Progress, Together:

Bold Innovation: We develop AI to assist, empower, and inspire people in almost every field of human endeavor, drive economic progress and improve lives, enable scientific breakthroughs, and help address humanity’s biggest challenges.

Responsible Development and Deployment: Because we understand that AI, as a still-emerging transformative technology, poses new complexities and risks, we consider it an imperative to pursue AI responsibly throughout the development and deployment lifecycle — from design to testing to deployment to iteration — learning as AI advances and uses evolve.

Collaborative Progress, Together: We learn from others, and build technology that empowers others to harness AI positively.

This shift illustrates what happens when a company grows to such a scale. It begins to be influenced by prevailing political winds. This realization represents a personal evolution. For decades, I followed tech news and was excited about gadgets, viewing them primarily as just that—fun gadgets. I overlooked the ethical responsibilities involved. The past ten years have shown me the far-reaching effects of these “gadgets” at scale. All of these technologies—smartphones, tablets, AI, software, and services—have a dual nature. Products can be announced with shiny, inspiring keynotes promising to “make the world a better place,” but they also have a darker side. This is Google’s dark side today, and I strongly disapprove of it. This decision could lead to the development of AI-powered weapons systems, increased surveillance, and other ethically problematic applications.

Google’s “AI Principles” in 2018

Google’s “AI Principles” in 2025

Proverbs 16:25: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."

Choosing the right AI tool for your Drupal development workflow can be tricky. Google’s Gemini offers two powerful options: 1.5 Pro and 2.0 Flash. While both can assist with tasks like code debugging, their strengths lie in different areas. This post breaks down the key differences, focusing on practical examples for PHP and Twig within the Drupal context.

Gemini 1.5 Pro: The Deep Dive Expert

Think of 1.5 Pro as your seasoned consultant. It excels at in-depth analysis and complex problem-solving. Its strength lies in understanding nuanced code issues, often buried within layers of logic. It’s ideal for situations where careful examination and context are paramount.

Gemini 2.0 Flash: The Speedy Problem Solver

2.0 Flash is your quick-thinking colleague. It’s designed for speed and efficiency, perfect for rapid iteration and tackling straightforward bugs. It shines when you need immediate feedback and fast solutions.

Debugging PHP and Twig: A Practical Comparison

Let’s imagine a scenario: a Twig template in your Drupal project isn’t displaying a variable correctly.

Gemini 1.5 Pro Approach:

You provide 1.5 Pro with the problematic Twig code, the relevant PHP code that populates the variable, and a description of the expected output. 1.5 Pro meticulously analyzes both, tracing the variable’s journey from the PHP code to the Twig template. It might identify a typo in the variable name, a logic error in the PHP code that’s preventing the variable from being set, or a scope issue. It may even suggest related Drupal documentation or best practices for handling variables in Twig. The response might take a little longer, but it’s thorough and provides a deep understanding of the root cause.

Example:

twig
{# Problematic Twig Code #}
{{ user_namee }}

{# Related PHP Code #}
$user_name = \Drupal::currentUser()->getAccount()->getDisplayName();
// ...some other code...
$build['user_name'] = $user_name;

**1.5 Pro might respond:** _"The Twig template is trying to display user_namee, but the PHP code defines the variable as user_name.  This typo is preventing the name from being displayed.  Correct the Twig code to_  {{ user_name }}."

Gemini 2.0 Flash Approach: You provide 2.0 Flash with the same code snippets. It quickly scans for common errors. It might immediately flag the typo in the variable name and suggest the correction. While it might not delve into the broader context of the code as deeply as 1.5 Pro, its speed is invaluable for quickly catching these common mistakes.

Example (same code as above): 2.0 Flash might respond: “Possible typo: user_namee in Twig should be user_name to match the PHP variable.”

Which One to Choose?

• Use 1.5 Pro: When you’re dealing with complex bugs, unfamiliar code, or when you need a deep understanding of the issue. Think of it as your go-to for those “head-scratching” moments.
• Use 2.0 Flash: When you need rapid feedback, are working on straightforward tasks, or want to quickly catch common errors. It’s perfect for iterative development and those “aha!” moments. By understanding the strengths of each version, you can leverage Gemini to boost your Drupal development productivity and streamline your debugging process. They aren’t mutually exclusive; use them strategically to maximize your efficiency.

Note: Gemini 2.0 Pro is almost here.