The demise of Google Reader, if logical, is a reminder of how far we've come from the cuddly old 'I'm Feeling Lucky' Google days, in which there was a foreseeably-astonishing delight in the way Google's evolving design tricks anticipated what users would like.

In the quote, "The demise of Google Reader, if logical, is a reminder of how far we've come from the cuddly old 'I'm Feeling Lucky' Google days, in which there was a foreseeably-astonishing delight in the way Google's evolving design tricks anticipated what users would like," James Fallows reflects on the evolution of Google as a company. He contrasts the early days of Google, when its simple and playful interface—symbolized by the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button—seemed to delight users with its ability to predict their desires, with the eventual discontinuation of services like Google Reader. This change marks a shift from a user-centric, almost whimsical design approach to one that is more business-driven and less emotionally connected to its users.

Fallows highlights how Google has evolved from a product that seemed to prioritize user experience and joy into a more utilitarian and corporate-driven entity. The mention of Google Reader, a once-popular RSS feed aggregator, serves as a poignant example of this shift. The demise of Google Reader, while logical from a business perspective, serves as a reminder that Google, once known for anticipating and delighting users' needs with its innovations, has moved toward an era where user delight is no longer the primary focus.

The quote also underscores how Google's design philosophy has changed over time. In its early years, Google was known for its minimalist design and playfulness, embodying the sense that it was a tool for the user, almost as if it were in tune with their needs before they even knew them. This led to the development of features like the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, which would take users to a page they might not have expected but would often enjoy. The shift away from such features reflects the increasing dominance of business objectives over user-centered design.

Fallows is expressing a sense of nostalgia for the early Google that seemed to embody a kind of playful experimentation and deep connection with its users. The loss of that original, delightful quality, embodied in now-discontinued services like Google Reader, serves as a reminder of the ongoing evolution of technology and how companies like Google have transformed over time in response to new challenges and priorities.