I mean cargo culting tech and languages is practically a meme at this point in tech. I'm not sure I can scientifically argue that its widespread but I think it is equally futile to argue that it does not happen frequently.
Does it happen? Sure. More often than it should? Absolutely.
Often enough to account for the popularity of Go? I strongly doubt it. It could have accounted for Go's popularity in the first year or two. But now, Go has been used by too many people to do too many things. Go's popularity now is based on its ability to help you get things done, not on Google's name.
Often enough to account for the popularity of Go? I strongly doubt it. It could have accounted for Go's popularity in the first year or two. But now, Go has been used by too many people to do too many things. Go's popularity now is based on its ability to help you get things done, not on Google's name.