Google and Evil

I didn't know that was Google's motto. That's a very, very odd motto for a corporation to possess. It's odd on two levels:

1. The word "evil" is a negative term -- and usually corporate mottos try to be postitive. Even though they try to negate it (with the "Don't be" preface), the tenor of the motto itself is eerily negative.
2. The term "evil" is a poorly defined term. First, it requires one to accept that evil exists (as you point out), and nowadays that's not a popular notion. And second, it's possible (and very likely) that different people have different notions of evil. And to equate a corporation of "yes men" as "evil" seems very odd.

I'm with you -- if the sentiment behind the logo is more along the lines of "Be Considerate of Others," then it's laudible. But even that would be met with suspicion as it sounds so hokey. But saying, "Don't be Evil" simply carries an odd, odd cast to it.

Care to take a stab at a definition for "evil?"