Tags
Google, Human Google, Mom's are the original Google, New York Public Library Ask Desk, writers, writing
I recently did a mild rant HERE on how the Internet has taken over the world. I am grateful for the ability to instantly order an anti-wrinkle cream, learn about hair loss, and find out why my knee makes that weird clicking noise. I am frankly relieved I can instantly remove my crows feet with the click of a cheery “Order Here” link.
Can’t figure out how to spell the word “nausea?” Google it! Have a mysterious fungus on your hydrangea or whatever? Google it! Need to remove hard water stains on your bathroom faucet? Google it! (Or as my beloved uncle would say, “Google that up!”)
There was a lovely story on CBS This Morning about the New York City Public Library’s “Human Google.” There are real people sitting behind real desks who field real questions at the library’s “Ask Desk.” You can click here or call 917-ASK-NYPL and ask a live human being (as opposed to a dead human being) anything your little heart desires. I imagine they try to keep questions they field in the realm of PG-13 topics.
With access to tomes, research, and all things smarty-pants, the Human Google person will get you your answer! They may even consult the Internet in their quest to do your bidding. But one can assume that the person who resorts to calling Mr. or Ms. Human Google has already exhausted Mr. or Ms. Robot Google as reliable informant.
Those Human Google folks admit it might take them a tad longer than Robot Google on finding the more obscure tid-bits of information. But heck, the wait is worth it because if you have a burning need to know about monkey solicitation, wait no more!
“I am looking for a New York City law that prohibits solicitation by monkeys.”
Human Google will tell you the law dates back to 1887.
I can sleep at night now that I know that nugget of information.
In all seriousness, I think it is really cool that there is an information desk that isn’t in cyberspace.
Speaking of an information desk that is not in cyberspace (well, sorta), witness this recent text exchange with my daughter:
Daughter: “Mom, I’m going to the grocery store. What is your recipe for baked brie?”
Me: “I’m at the cabin and don’t have the baked brie recipe on me. Google it!”
Daughter: “Isn’t texting your mom the same thing as going on Google?”
So, moms are the original Human Google. Okay, dads might be too.
This post is for you, Audra, my Human Google friend!
This is Patience. Or he could be Fortitude. I always get them confused. New York Public Library needs to get them dog tags. Er, lion tags.
https://pemenangundianisiulangmkios.wordpress.com/
Ahem, maybe others did the same, but I Googled the lions’ names. If you know whether the lion is on the north or south, you have your answer:
The nicknames of the lions have changed over the decades. First they were called Leo Astor and Leo Lenox, after The New York Public Library founders John Jacob Astor and James Lenox. Later, they were known as Lord Astor and Lady Lenox. During the 1930s, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia named them Patience and Fortitude, for the qualities he felt New Yorkers would need to survive the economic depression. These names have stood the test of time: Patience still guards the south side of the library’s steps and Fortitude sits unwaveringly to the north.
Well done, you! I believe the lion in that photo is Patience!
Hope you are holding up, Scott.
Mom’s ARE the original Google, and we love being used for our vast array of endless knowledge!!! Remarkable fun post, Robin. xo
Thanks, Pam! Google is every mom’s middle name!
Greatest title ever, Robin!
The rest of the post rocked too.
Don’t you like how I gave dads a little google nod?
My husband ‘youtube’s’ how to fix things around the house. BTW, I’d rather have my mom’s baked brie recipe than google’s. It’s always better from home. 😉
Excellent point. And even better if the recipe card is written in mom’s hand.
(Tag lions, uh, lines needed for that cat king’s sitting place?)
How funny – you are the first to unveil a universal truth: Moms are the originals. Another reason moms can rest assured they can never be replaced!
I knew I had job security! I just didn’t know it came in the form of a baked brie recipe!
Those lion statues are the coolest, right? Have you been to the NYPL? It is beautiful and inspired reverence for knowledge.
Only briefly. They have really cool librarians, too – met them at conferences while I was in publishing and ended up dealing with marketing, authors, and librarians. (Best job ever)
(Lions by the door are the best!)
They have bookend versions of the lions in the gift store. I was mighty tempted but i think they were $125 (or something) and didn’t want to lug them around the rest of the day while cruising the streets of NYC.
No worries – they ship! HA HA (The house my mother lived in as a small child for a while had 2 stone lions that she sat on. We heard about those darn giant lions for years and years. Finally we went back to the small town and drove by the bouse. I think they were about 2 feet tall on top of their stone block by the stairs. She frowned and said the “new” people musst have replaced the originals. The lions were never spoken of again. But her step sister’s daughter said her mom said those were definitly the original lions)
Bookends sound good….I have a new bookcase so I may look them up. Thanks
I love it! We are the human Google for our kids. I do get an occasional question, although they tend to rely on their phones now that they live on their own. 🙂
It is funny how they come to me for homespun information such as a recipe for comfort food. I go to them for technical questions! “How does that “SlapChat” or whatever it is called work?” ” MOM! It is called “SNAPCHAT!”
Very funny! , we call my sister the human Google. Stuck on your crosswords? Ask Anna! 🙂
Thanks for your post, it made me smile!
What is her phone number? I love to do crossword puzzles but can use a little help now and then! Glad this post made you smile.
It did, thank you Robin. I since received sad news from a friend. I wrote about it as a means to stop grieving so much. Strange how a blog can be so comforting.
Gosh, I just read your post. So sad. Writing and reaching out to friends (blogging or otherwise) is a wonderful way to soften the blow of grief. My best to you.
I love that the NYPL is twisting the Google thing. Librarians rock and what a clever draw!
Im still chuckling over your daughter’s wit.
Great post, my friend!
I forgot to put your idea of putting “Isn’t texting your mom the same thing as going on Google?” on tee-shirts and magnets in this post! Rats.
And librarians do rock big time!
Love that there is a Human Google around. Maybe things will be OK after all!
Yes, there is hope that all is not lost to the Internet!
Ha ha. Next time my daughter texts me for a recipe, which she does all the time, I will tell her I’m Human Google!
I get those call/texts all the time too, including, “Mom! What should I make for dinner?” I secretly love it.
It’s nice when they want to make the family favourites and then tell you all about it!
I agree! My daughter made a family favorite for some friends recently and she said she sounded just like me when she urged them to have seconds. “Mom! I’m turning into you!” I took that as a great compliment. See my recent comment on your blog about not getting your posts anymore. GRRRR.
I was surprised when my girls were tiny. I talked to them and my mother came out of my mouth! Now, they say things just the way I do. It’s funny.
Do you ever look down at your hands and think they are your mother’s?
No, I definitely have my father’s hands or more accurately his mother’s hands. My sister is very much like my mother. But I like to think I have much of both my grandmothers in me. One loved to cook and the other was a wonderful seamstress and I am a baker and stitcher. Both my girls love to cook but neither so far has shown any interest in sewing. 🙂
I love to sew too but haven’t in years!