I don't understand what is Google waiting for to make an algorithm-based sef-served Groupon. Like they changed advertisement with AdWords/AdSense. They have the brand and advertising network and hundreds of millions of users.<p>Perhaps Google as an organization is too asperger-like and can't understand social? I don't know. But it looks like a big opportunity being lost.
What I would like to know is: has there been another time when a startup announced a huge deal, was subject to a deluge of negative opinion, <i>and it turned out that the skeptics were right</i>?<p>Let's be honest -- there's a lot of hate going around, as there tends to be <i>when many startups go big and experience success</i>.<p>I, for one, am skeptical about Groupon -- as are many here. But, in reading the comments, I am having a tough time separating the genuine skepticism from the generic hate. Both claim to be basing their opinions on rational, informed analysis.