The Whale and the Walrus: Two Views of Sergey and Larry
June 28, 2008
The purpose of this essay is to describe the life trajectory of two technology-centric companies. I don’t want to mention the firms by name, but you may be able to guess which company is the whale and which is the walrus.
The whale is a big creature, a whale of a company. Wherever the whale goes, it gets its way. More accurately, the whale used to get its way. Now the whale is lying on its side near the Seattle waterfront close to upscale boutiques and a Starbucks.
The second is a walrus, now quite old for a semi-leviathan. The walrus prefers to sit on a rock not far from Half Moon Bay, soak up the sun and snag whatever fish get too close. The walrus prefers to conserve its energy. Oh, the walrus will stretch and sometimes roar. Most of the time, the walrus half sits, half reclines looking — well –disconnected from the world beyond the sand bar. The walrus has some new friends named Sergey and Larry.
Let’s look at three aspects of each creature and then think about the future of each powerful beastie.
The Whale
The whale is the largest mammal. Not surprisingly, the whale is never sure if a sucker fish is tagging along for a free ride. The whale is also not really aware of its surroundings. The whale sings and tries to find other whales, but whales get together once in a while. Think of it as a Warren Buffet cocktail party with only whales allowed. Otherwise whales think whale thoughts, oblivious to their world.
Our whales know that tiny creatures can annoy a whale, but tiny creatures rarely hurt a whale. This whale believes it is master of all the known universe. The trick is to stay away from tiny creatures with weapons that can make life difficult. Every once in a while, the whale can gobble a tasty morsel like Fast Search & Transfer. Life has been good, but the whale senses trouble in a restless ocean.
The Walrus
The walrus is tired. The old game of providing tips to lost dolphins and tuna is not working any more. So, the walrus kicks back and thinks about what might have been.
The walrus is old, and the new ways of finding young fish eager to learn the old ways are tiring. This walrus prefers to lay down, make some noise, and wait for the next meal. Think of this walrus living in an assisted-living facility. The real world is too unfamiliar. The walrus has two new friends, Sergey and Larry. Sergey and Larry bring the walrus fish once a day. Getting fish is better than catching fish. The walrus likes not working too hard. The rock is a fine place. The waves lapping the beach in Half Moon Bay sooth the walrus. The walrus changes position but does not move.
Interpreting the Two Stories
The whale is a company that is disconnected from the world beyond the ocean. The whale is, for the first time in its life, unnerved, maybe frightened. Sergey and Larry people have a different business model. Customers use software and information and an advertiser pays the bill. The whale wants to swat Sergey, Larry with its tail. Sergey and Larry dance out of the way. The whale is frustrated and getting tired carrying the old business model into every skirmish and chase.
The walrus is an old timer in the digital world. The spring and bounce have been weighted down by wild and crazy decisions. Walrus friends are leaving the walrus more and more alone. The walrus is isolated. The old ways have lost their zip. The walrus remembers reading about automobiles and buggy whip manufacturers. The walrus believes that he might become a wallet, maybe a pair of shoes. Change, however, is hard at the walrus’ age. The walrus stays where it is, moving to catch the rays of the setting sun. Sergey and Larry will bring another fish today.
The message is clear. The whale is going to fight to survive. The walrus has given up. Sergey and Larry have the ability to deal with both the whale and the walrus with equal aplomb.
Observations
Neither creature has many years left. You have to admire the fighting whale. Too bad its own weight and mass will sap his strength. Not much future unless the whale shed some pounds like Subway’s Jared, the tuna eater. The walrus has found a new best friend and does not want to work too hard. The walrus will gladly do what Googzilla says. Those free fish are really tasty, thinks the walrus.
And what about Sergey and Larry in their “we’re just guys” outfit. Sergey and Larry want to out think the whale. The walrus seems happy as long as he gets a couple of fish every day.
In the great theater of business, the whale and the walrus are sushi.
Stephen Arnold, June 28, 2008
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