[harry8]

An unenforced code is so useless it is barely worth mentioning except to express total and utter contempt.

In your view, how many times has google engaged in evil conduct with this "code of conduct" having had no say before, during or after the decision to be evil was made? Estimate it.

"Don't be evil" is long, long gone and it's a shame.

[rolph]

i have a strong hunch, dont be evil is an insider doublespeak. it probably means something very different among the upper alphabet echelon

[javajosh]

It means something as technophilic 50-year-old Stanford CS students, and the people they hire. These are rational, educated makers who pride themselves on their intellectual achievement. They are drawn to the futuristic, fair, wealthy, egalitarian meritocracy of Star Trek and hope for a post-singularity future. "Don't be evil" has a clear meaning within these (valid) stereotypes of liberal/libertarian California and SV culture.

I cannot imagine what happens when you pickle such a view in infinite money for 20 years. It's probably not good.