Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

It's amazing what we look for in the intimate entertainment. I know you are being sarcastic, but I would find it hard to believe if you've never indulged in the dubious pleasure of seeing just how wild things can get. We are fascinated with both the good and the bad. The problem some of the really dangerous sites have some provocative ways of seeming logical and could change or rational thinking.

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 21-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and the words of support for my theme here. I learned early on that most of these darker corners of the internet are rife with criminals looking for ways to get personal info and run scams. I stay on Fanstory, poke around on Facebook for news of family and friends, and that's about it. Even news pop ups that seem innocent are full of booby trapped trojan horses. estory

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

I think you grasp the search engines quite well, dear estory. I am blind for the most part and it's a slippery slope for me. I stay to known places and mark them. Even the news has more than news, if you know what I mean. Thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts. Sending you my best today as always.
Sal :)

 Comment Written 19-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your support of my little poem. Fanstory is where I probably spend about 95% of my time on the internet. but the search engines travel on and on...estory

Comment from Jim Wile

Excellent

This was a terrific expose of all the many features of the search engines of the internet. Much more complete and creatively usable than the encyclopedias and far less tedious to browse than the libraries of old that they are largely replacing the need for.

Sure, there are both its good and bad sides, just like the people who have created them and the people who people them. But that's life, and, as you say: there's no putting the genie back in the bottle now.

Just a marvelous piece! Jim

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your perspective on my piece. You can ride with this genie if you want to, but I prefer to have my feet on the ground. estory

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi estory, I must admit, I stick to my well trotted path when it comes to the Internet. So much rubbish and misinformation is circulating on its forum. I don't trust much of it, so I stay well away.
Thanks for sharing. I bet my review was not what you were looking for. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and for your perspective on the theme of my piece. I spend a little time on Facebook to keep up with friends and family, otherwise I just hang out here. The internet is full of crime and fraud, rumors and gossip. This is a dangerous genie. estory

reply by Ulla on 19-Apr-2023

I totally agree!

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

You have adeptly captured the essence of the Internet and where these searches can lead, particularly with algorithms that then send the searcher further down the rabbit hole.

Really enjoyed this one and the metaphorical genie's bottle is apt for describing the power than be either heaven or hell.

Thanks for sharing.

Gloria

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and I am glad you seemed to like how I used the language here to capture this sense of the search engines as magic carpets taking you on a ride you cannot control. estory

Comment from Jesse James Doty

Excellent

This is quite amazing and it tells the story of the internet well. But I long for the days before the internet and all the high-tech BS that goes along with it. After many times, I have forgotten where I am in this strange world of computers I long to go back in time and live a life of pleasurable experiences.
Jesse

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and your perspective on the piece. I could do without the internet, sites like this basically involved in creativity are OK, but most of the rest of it is junk and fraud. I am for real life face to face experience. But people get addicted to this magic carpet ride and can't get off. estory

reply by Jesse James Doty on 19-Apr-2023

People can get addicted to the internet but they can choose not to if they only want to. I choose not to involve myself with any social media, except for FS, of course.
The magic carpet ride of the internet will take one to hell and back!
As you say they can't get off the internet if they try!
Jesse

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Although in most part, the search engines are a marvellous end for the wary, as a believer in confining one's activity to relevant and useful information, it's a boon, but for a parent with children, it's a nightmare, much worse now than when I raised my girls. Yes, indeed, an almost literal Pandora's box, beautifully written my friend, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and for your perspective on my theme here. I don't trust the internet for much, but the world is forcing it more and more on us. These big companies save money on the internet and online platforms. For us it's more expensive. And they use it to great effect in shaping public opinion. estory

reply by royowen on 19-Apr-2023

I use it only to map occurrences and scripture, i us the Bible for perspective and shaping, but your right.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I am absolutely positive that search engines do open Pandora's Box. Sometimes it works out, but I'm betting in the long run, it's not for good. Especially with all the spying that is now going on. I feel this poem would be easier to read, at least for me, if there were spaces.

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for the excellent review and I am glad the piece seems to have gotten so many people to think about this important platform in our society. People need to keep technology in perspective and think about where it is taking us, and why. estory

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Exceptional

You did an excellent job of opening Pandora's box on the internet. There is so much there you can lose yourself in following endless trails of interesting or shocking or just plain lies and disgusting ideas.

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for the exceptional review and your words of support for my theme here, in trying to get people to be wary of where this magic carpet is taking us. So many people are unwittingly becoming addicted to this ride that they can't control. estory

Comment from kiwisteveh

Excellent

... and then they regurgitate all of those things you have been searching for upon your facebook page for weeks or months to come!

One small typo wesites --> websites

I still remember the joy of discovering the search engine in the early days of the internet and then seeing the refinement and enhancements to this extraordinary invention. My favourite feature is the ability to surf via links from one site to the next and often ending up in a totally unexpected area.

As you say, this is a magic carpet allowing travel to every bit of knowledge the world has to offer. Young folks take it for granted - I still marvel at this wonderful technology. PT Barnum had nothing on this!

Steve

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023

Thanks for your excellent review but this isn't really something in praise of the search engines. Rather a cautionary tale of where they are taking us. estory