Discover the Future of Search with Scout: A Revolutionary Engine
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Scout
Greetings! I’m Jeff Hunt, the creator of Scout, an innovative search engine that represents a new era in information retrieval. I would like to extend an invitation to the Medium community to experience it firsthand at www.scout.click.
Scout is a micro-startup operating in a field traditionally dominated by Google. But what drives us to venture into this competitive landscape? The reasons are numerous!
The Issue with Centralized Control
It can be argued that allowing a single company's algorithm to determine the global search results is concerning. With Scout, specialists in niche topics—be it spaghetti recipes or nuclear waste management—can contribute to the search results in a way that existing platforms do not.
Imagine this: you have a Ph.D. in nuclear waste, or you're a 90-year-old curious about a spaghetti dish. In an even more thrilling scenario, you could devise a solution to a nuclear dilemma using spaghetti! With Scout, your voice matters, enabling users to influence the search index and potentially make a difference.
Scout's Unique Features
Scout introduces a groundbreaking feature that no other search engine offers: the ability for users to crowd-rank and annotate the index in a "crowd-mode." This allows for multiple indices, all of which can be shaped by user contributions. Users can evaluate websites, ask questions linked to specific pages, and elevate the content they deem most valuable, inviting others to support their choices.
Watch our crowd-funded micro-kickstarter campaign that launched us one year ago.
Chapter 2: Our Business Model
Now, let's talk about the financial aspect. We require user accounts to be verified through a nominal donation. This approach helps ensure that users are genuine, which is crucial in a world where the "FreeDumb" model has led to various issues, from surveillance to bot activity. This model fails to address the essential balance between identity and privacy. By focusing on search results rather than ads, we prioritize the user experience.
Some may argue they are savvy enough to evade ads or ignore them entirely. However, Scout aims for better outcomes that foster a healthier relationship between users and service providers—moving away from a free model that is anything but free.
But wait, you might think, "Charging for services? That's absurd! Google is free!" True, Google and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook operate under a no-cost model, but at what cost? The implications for democracy and the pervasive nature of advertising as a business strategy are alarming. We want to explore what search could look like without these entanglements.
The Vision for a Better Search Experience
What if we could simply eliminate the clutter for a small fee, compensating the company for its efforts? We acknowledge that many users are unlikely to pay for something they perceive as free, yet we hope to connect with a million individuals who comprehend and support our mission. With a robust user base, we can pioneer an experiment showcasing a human-verified, crowd-ranked index that promises to be enlightening!
What does the future hold? Will Google remain the dominant force? Will these prevailing yet uninspired concepts continue to thrive?
Find out with us! If you're weary of outdated search engines, disheartened by social and intellectual stagnation, or curious about the potential for intelligent discourse beyond corporate platforms, join our Computational Happiness Index (CHI)!
CHI is central to our public service initiative—a response against rampant over-computing and the online addiction that keeps users engaged in endless debates instead of seeking knowledge.
Energy Consumption and Its Implications
Now, let’s delve into energy usage. Who bears the cost of internet energy consumption? Companies do, but ultimately, it's our planet that pays the price. What do we mean by gross over-computing? We aren't just referring to endless scrolling; we're talking about computing frameworks and business models that disregard environmental impact.
Consider whether you truly require a real-time index of every bit of digital clutter. Does that outdated kitten site really need nightly updates? Approximately half of all internet traffic is estimated to be bot-driven, and soon, AI-generated "news" will proliferate endlessly.
Join Scout and contribute to the CHI, helping to redefine the search landscape. Let’s challenge the status quo together! There's an old saying: the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now. The world indeed requires a new search engine that stands in stark contrast to Google in terms of its business model, privacy, fairness of results, and openness to contributions from individuals worldwide.
Join our early bird membership drive at www.scout.click. We invite users to contribute with a small $5 donation, which includes 1000 invite tokens to share with family and friends!
Scout is a seed-funded initiative actively seeking investors and new talent.
Jeff Hunt is the Founder of Scout and the author of "Hello World 5000" and other novels. Learn more at http://www.jeffhuntwriter.com/
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