Is Google Scary? Not to Silicon Valley, Even at a Party for a Book About How Scary It Could Be!

Kara Swisher — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:21:47 +0000

While at a book party for author Ken Auletta in San Francisco last night, BoomTown took the opportunity to ask those gathered whether they were scared or not of Google and its growing power.

The Auletta book covers a lot about the search giant, but also drills in on how traditional media and advertising, as well as the government, have all become increasingly wary of Google’s hegemony over key businesses on the Web.

But as it turned out, the Silicon Valley types I queried had nothing but attaboys for Google (GOOG). Oddly enough, many mentioned how they love the food served up at the Googleplex.

Here’s the video of the interviews, with scary up-close shots, with investor–including in Google–Ron Conway, almost-not CBS (CBS) Web dude/almost investment dude Quincy Smith, online classified czar Craig Newmark, Slide CEO Max Levchin and Google PR honcho David “I love my Soylent Green” Krane (see pertinent movie video clip below):

[ See post to watch video ]

Please see this disclosure related to me and Google.

Charlton Heston: The End of His World as We Know It

Kara Swisher — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:00:01 +0000

Everyone can have their own personal opinion about Charlton Heston, the rugged movie legend who died Saturday.

But a trio of his movies–1968’s “Planet of the Apes,” 1971’s “Omega Man” and 1973’s “Soylent Green“–have been geekish (and cheesy) favorites of mine for as long as I can remember.

All three films, which have that cynical end-of-the-world tone so prevalent in movies of the time period, are all about the failings of man and the dangers of technology.

But mostly, they are cheesy in a really terrific cheesy way.

So, in memory, here’s the classic final sand-pounding scene by Heston in “Planet of the Apes,” a trailer from “Omega Man” and my favorite movie line of all time from “Soylent Green.”

Planet of the Apes:

Omega Man:

Soylent Green:

BoomTown » Soylent Green

Is Google Scary? Not to Silicon Valley, Even at a Party for a Book About How Scary It Could Be!

Charlton Heston: The End of His World as We Know It