I havent read the transcript but i am guessing that THE CEO was talking to the public and not to webmasters...so he had a different kind of PR in mind (PUN INTENDED)
Malcolm1... you kinda nailed one of the reasons why Google are in fact behind the creation of the cesspool (but there are many other factors as well... with the end goal for Google to be seen as the only way to get real visitors to a site is to pay for them through Adwords).
Not everyone is blind ohhhh well, im happy with the cesspool as every time i search i find what im looking for laterz malcolm
Search engines are still the most popular way to find information. I use the web to locate products and services every single day, and so do most of the people I know and do business with. The web will not be perfect EVER...neither will Google or any other serp.... No different then the garbarge on TV, Radio, or at the movies..The righteousness and holier then thou attitude from Google and some webmasters really kills me sometimes....