Long Term

This is not Philanthropic. The good folks over at ArsTechnica have this funny idea that these actions by Google represent altruism and goodness. This represents the most blessed of self interest actions on a corporate level that I have seen in a long time. (and by the way, I just finished investing my Scottrade account all in Google for all disclosure purposes).

Google's greatest cost in the near future will be energy (if it isn't already). It probably pays more for human activity than anything else. As the datacenter rises in importance and computing needs multiply the cost of energy will matter more and more. Already Google chose one of their recent datacenters locations because of its location relative a river and cheap hydroelectric electricity.

Google owns the working lives of 10,000 smart people. Probably 6,000 PhDs. Thats a lot of intelligence. This company they are supporting and funding, I am sure they have ownership in on some level. The patents developed and product sold will pay credence to the Google model. This intelligence being shown will I've and ethic and all those other things which have allowed Google to attract the quality people they have.

As the expertise continues to diversify the spinoffs will make bckets of innovation. Ideas will feed upon themselves. I expect mountains to be created, moved and then recycled.

Keep moving.