In a quirky turn of events, Google co-founder Sergey Brin made headlines for hosting an unconventional baby shower back in 2008, as revealed in a new book by tech journalist Kara Swisher.
The Unusual Soiree
The baby shower, held in San Francisco, saw an array of big names from the tech and media industries in attendance. However, what set this event apart was the peculiar dress code enforced by Brin.
Guests arrived to find themselves presented with a choice of attire: oversized diapers paired with comical pins, ruffled baby hats accompanied by rattles, or adult-sized footy pajamas accessorized with teddy bears and suckers.
Eccentric Attire and Roller Skating
Brin himself donned a onesie as he merrily roller-skated around the venue. Adding to the spectacle, Wendi Deng, then married to media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was reportedly spotted wearing a diaper.
Even the esteemed guest list, including the then-San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, couldn’t escape the whimsical theme of the event.
Dodging the Dress Code
Swisher revealed in her book that she and Newsom managed to sidestep the eccentric dress code, with the mayor humorously expressing concerns about being photographed in the outlandish outfits.
Brin’s Return to the Limelight
While representatives for Brin remained tight-lipped about the event, Swisher’s memoir, “Burn Book: A Tech Love Story,” sheds light on her extensive career in tech journalism, featuring anecdotes about industry stalwarts like Brin and Larry Page.
The Journey with Google
Swisher reminisced about her introduction to Brin and Page through venture capitalist John Doerr, who played a pivotal role in early Google funding. Despite their divergent personalities, Swisher affectionately dubbed the duo “the twins.”
Brin’s Reemergence
Although Brin and Page relinquished their roles at Alphabet in 2019, they reengaged with Google’s AI endeavors following the emergence of Microsoft-backed ChatGPT in 2022.
Brin expressed his excitement about AI’s trajectory, describing his return from retirement as driven by the field’s potential. Reports suggest Brin’s direct involvement in shaping Google’s AI strategy, highlighting his significance as a “core contributor” to the company’s AI model, Gemini, as outlined in a December white paper.
