Inverse Google and Serendipity

Search for something using Inframutt and it will send you to the last result in google instead of the first. It may seem like a bit of a gimick, but I think the creators could be onto something here.


With google we search for what we're looking for and therefore only get results that directly correspond to our search. Whilst in most cases this is useful, for creative thinking you could argue that it stifles lateral thinking.

In his book "Where Good Ideas Come From", Steven Johnson talks about the power of serendipitous discovery and how it benefits creating unique, lateral and innovative ideas. He uses the example of browsing the shelves of the library pre-internet in search of information: Whilst you might go in with the intention of finding a particular book on a particular subject an attractive spine, or an interesting title might distract you along the way. You pick up this book instead and stumble upon a piece of information, or a different way of looking at a problem that ultimately inspires a more creative solution to your problem.


By sending you to the last page of your search for say the word "dog", Inframutt might send you to a page that has a more lateral connection to the word than you would ever have discovered on the first few pages of google. This therefore promotes a more serendipitous approach to using and discovering  the plethora of information available on the web.