Dinner with Google

by Anand Lal Shimpi on January 9, 2005 2:14 PM EST
I actually did get up an hour early to write up CES coverage but I didn't have time to edit together all of the images for the updates. And last night the most interesting thing happened that prevented me from working on it...

I was at Transmeta's booth on the show floor looking at a demo of their 2GHz 90nm Efficeon processor over the shoulder of a group of three people. The Transmeta guy giving the demo is an AnandTech reader and a person whom I've had numerous conversations with so once he saw me there he told the group he was talking to that I could vouch for some of the performance statements he was making. One member of the group turned around and gave me a smile, I didn't realize who he was until later.

A few minutes later he stuck out his hand and let me know that he was a huge fan and a regular reader of AnandTech - as usual I was quite pleased and glad to see such an enthusiastic reader at CES...then I looked down at his badge which said Google, Inc. Then I looked slightly up about an inch at his name, which said Lawrence Page, aka Larry Page aka co-founder of Google. I promptly returned the praise for his work :)

We talked a bit and he ended up inviting me to dinner with him and a few friends, which ended up being one of the most interesting experiences I've ever had while running AT. The guy is absolutely brilliant, the range of his knowledge on all topics engineering is astounding. But he's also a genuinely nice guy who happens to be quite passionate about running Google as an engineering company first and foremost. I found myself floored to not only be sitting next to this guy at dinner but also talking to him about everything from AnandTech to school to the car industry.

I've met with a lot of heads and founders of companies in the past, but none have ever stood out as much as this little run in with Mr. Page. Of course it had to happen as I'm still recovering from my cold/flu and a day after I started losing my voice from talking too much in my meetings.

Anywho, I'm on my way to the airport now and if all goes well I'll have a lot of writing time on the plane to finish up my thoughts on CES.

Thanks so much for the understanding you all expressed in reference to my last post, you have no idea how much stuff like that helps.

Take care and I'm almost recovered...woohoo!
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  • Anonymous - Sunday, January 9, 2005 - link

    Somehow I find your meeting more meaningful then the time i met Bob Dole. :)

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