AOL Buys Video Search Firm

Eric Newman writes "TheStreet.com is reporting that America Online has purchased Truveo.com. From the article: 'Truveo has a proprietary technology called visual crawling that lets it automatically discover video files on Web pages, enabling customers to see updated information on news, sports and entertainment. The acquisition, which closed Dec. 21, was AOL's fifth last year. News of the deal wasn't released until Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed.' Note that the deal closed the same week that Google bought a 5% stake in AOL, in part to collaborate on video technology."

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My complaint about AOL

[Adolf Hitroll]

Why does the media consistently refuse to acknowledge that AOL's failure to work together in an atmosphere of friendship and hope is so pusillanimous that I must protest AOL's use of illiterate diabolic-types to create division in the name of diversity? If you've ever wondered about the answer to that question, then read on. Without going into all the gory details, let's just say that there is no such thing as evil in the abstract. It exists only in the evil deeds of evil organizations like AOL. I must ask that AOL's deputies wake people out of their stupor and call on them to take steps toward creating an inclusive society free of attitudinal barriers. I know they'll never do that, so here's an alternate proposal: They should, at the very least, back off and quit trying to impede the free flow of information. I admit I have a tendency to become a bit insensitive whenever I rebuke AOL for trying to pass off all sorts of jaundiced and obviously impulsive stuff on others as a so-called "inner experience". While I am desirous of mending this tiny personality flaw, AOL's disagreeable game of chess -- the brassbound chess of Marxism -- has continued for far too long. It's time to checkmate this incoherent clodpoll and show it that if it can overawe and befuddle a sufficient number of prominent individuals, then it will become virtually impossible for anyone to kick butt and take names.

Should we be concerned that AOL wants to prosecute, sentence, and label people as bloody-minded ne'er-do-wells without the benefit of any evidence whatsoever? I'll answer that question for you: Yes, we should doubtlessly be concerned, because ever since it decided to inspire a recrudescence of snotty fatuity, its consistent, unvarying line has been that I'm too appalling to give you some background information about it. If AOL opened its eyes, it'd realize that it is immovably entrenched in its heinous philosophical positions. In general, I find that piteous nudniks are no different from nefarious good-for-nothings (also known as AOL's representatives). Sure, there are exceptions, but whenever there's an argument about its devotion to principles and to freedom, all one has to do is point out that I am indeed weary of listening to it descant on the glories of neocolonialism. That should settle the argument pretty quickly.

Rest assured, I, for one, like to face facts. I like to look reality right in the eye and not pretend it's something else. And the reality of our present situation is this: AOL's secret police argue that it's okay to alter, rewrite, or ignore past events to make them consistent with its current "reality". These are the same vindictive, sex-crazed paranoiacs who declare a national emergency, round up everyone who disagrees with it, and put them in concentration camps. This is no coincidence; AOL's methods are much subtler now than ever before. AOL is more adept at hidden mind control and its techniques of social brainwash are much more appealingly streamlined and homogenized. When AOL was first found trying to create a factitious demand for its treacherous principles, I was scared. I was scared not only for my personal safety; I was scared for the people I love. And now that AOL is planning to attack the fabric of this nation, I'm unquestionably terrified.

AOL's obloquies manifest themselves in two phases. Phase one: steal the fruits of other people's labor. Phase two: reward mediocrity.

If we're to effectively carry out our responsibilities and make a future for ourselves, we will first have to establish a supportive -- rather than an intimidating -- atmosphere for offering public comment. There is no doubt that AOL will censor any incomplicitous beliefs by the next full moon. Believe me, I would give everything I own to be wrong on that point, but the truth is that if, five years ago, I had described an organization like AOL to you and told you that in five years, it'd overthrow democratic political systems, you'd have thought me offensive. You'd have laughed at me and told me it couldn't happen. So