Google Chairman on WhatsApp: $19 Bn For 50 People? Good For Them! 303
theodp writes "Speaking at an SXSW panel, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt emphasized that Google is 'very, very worried' about the class tensions that underlie recent Bay Area protests, where high-salaried techies have driven up rents. 'Ninety-nine percent of people have seen no economic improvement over the last decade,' he said, adding that 'the data suggest that the problem gets worse' and will become the 'number one issue in democracies around the world.' Schmidt's solution to this displacement? Foster conditions — e.g., better education, looser immigration laws, and deregulation in strictly-controlled areas like energy and telecommunications — that encourage the creation of fast-growing startups ('gazelles') that generate lots of jobs. When interviewer Steven Levy noted 'gazelles' like the 50-employee WhatsApp which was acquired by Facebook for a reported $19 billion seem to lead to more inequality, Schmidt brushed aside the apparent contradiction. 'Let us celebrate capitalism,' the tax-us-if-you-can Schmidt said, opening his arms. '$19 billion for 50 people? Good for them.' Eric, meet Tom."
Re:Read between the lines (Score:5, Funny)
Any time a company starts talking about deregulation and loosening immigration laws, it's french for "make our labor cheaper."
Or Hindi.
French programmers only work three hour days.
Re:Read between the lines (Score:5, Funny)
It's unAmerican that we let Frenchmen work fewer hours, make more money, and live longer than us. Clearly our tactic of making fun of their laziness and pungent odors has failed. It's time for a race to the bottom of the time clock.
Fuck Pierre and his 80%, I'll see you guys back at the office in June! Just in time to get things in order for my summer vacation.