Internet deity and Google co-founder Larry Page was just speaking live to investors for Google’s quarterly earnings call, and he sounds horrible. What the hell is going on here?
Page’s throat problems aren’t new. Back in July of last year, he had to sit out from Google events, because as a Google spokesperson put it, “Larry has lost his voice.” The 39-year-old has made public speaking appearances since then, including this Q&A session from October in which Page talks with a muffled, but not alarming tone. Compare that to footage of Page speaking on Capitol Hill. It’s like a different man.
But it’s much, much worse today — he sounds like he sprinted to the earnings call, forced to take short breaths between words, depleted and unwell. It’s not the way you want the CEO of a company you’re invested in to sound — that’s for sure.
Would Page (and Google) lie about his health? Companies aren’t allowed to mislead shareholders about something that could profoundly affect the company’s future (and share price). But that sure as hell didn’t stop Steve Jobs and Apple.
We hope Larry’s doing better than he sounds.