At weather forecasting centers, code developments only get used if there is a demonstrable improvement in skill, not just because they spent a lot of money doing something new. Why don’t search engines use the same rule? - ThreadSky

climateofgavin.bsky.social • 6 days ago

At weather forecasting centers, code developments only get used if there is a demonstrable improvement in skill, not just because they spent a lot of money doing something new.

Why don’t search engines use the same rule?

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markshore.bsky.social•6 days ago

the uncontroversial observation that search engine results have become worse over the past five years or so suggests that recent "improvements" aren't focused on accuracy, depth, comprehensiveness, or advanced search capabilities, but on short-term profitability for the providers

oook.bsky.social•6 days ago

From my own experience: because the line must go up. Code can be accounted as "assets" and depreciated as such. So it's mandatory to "finish" something and deploy, irregardless of quality.

Also why the ongoing destruction of fundamental research will never be taken up by private equity...

sbisinger.bsky.social•6 days ago

What is the meaning of "skill" here?

climateofgavin.bsky.social•6 days ago

Better forecasts measured by various error metrics (e.g. RMS error on sea level pressure or rain amounts)

igcoder.bsky.social•6 days ago

Unfortunately, the meaning of skill for Google search is how long you spend on the Google website translating to how many ads you see. Turns out they are optimizing for that.

sbisinger.bsky.social•6 days ago

Yes, that's the point, the goal is optimise ad revenue, not have users find what they're looking for

sbisinger.bsky.social•6 days ago

In fact they have very meticulous ways to measure all kind of metrics and what any change does to those metrics. And they set goals based on that.

Whether the goals are good, or the metrics really capture the whole picture, it's a different story

climateofgavin.bsky.social•6 days ago

This is Cory Doctorow’s enshittification in action. It might work in the short term, but it will lead to a collapse once people get fed up and stop using the service altogether.

karelvc.bsky.social•6 days ago

Because they are revenue machines?

(G) Engine skill from user perspective has been degrading like since around 2011. These days people add reddit to search query to avoid the ad spam.

caribouwireless.bsky.social•6 days ago

Advertising

benbondlamberty.bsky.social•6 days ago

Free suggestion, try @kagi.com !

cookting.bsky.social•6 days ago

Both use your same principle, but different metrics. Weather forecasting centers measure by increase in accuracy, precision. Search engines measure by engagement and profit. Everything that's made search worse in the past 10 years makes them more money. Back in 2005, accuracy got engagement.

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