The truth of the matter in the corporate world is almost too gruesome to bear.

Wow, sounds like excellent grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Is this real? I honestly can't tell.

It's hilarious either way, but if it's real ... aww man, Ballmer needs some Fukitol.

Yeah, how can this be real? It's funny, and the guy has a great way of telling a story, but surely (and call me naive) that can't happen? Maybe he got "fired" by Ballmer, but nothing actually came from it?

It's believable, sure - Ballmer is notoriously unstable.
But is it real? Impossible to say with nothing more than this video.
Is it funny? Hells yes.

I don't think this is real.

If Ballmer were holding a meeting about Bing! it would be to either a small audience of high-level VPs, or a larger audience of lower-ranked personnel. In either case, there would have been other people telling this story. I've heard Ballmer's, uh, "enthusiastic" at times (like the iPhone incident during this year's all-hands at Safeco Field), but I can't seem him being this crazy.

Full disclosure: I work at Microsoft on one of the Bing verticals. I've never heard this story before this video.

I've read elsewhere that Microsoft is pretty "CYA" on hiring\firing papertrails and such - that sound about right, Stuka?

The YouTube account this was posted to is of a "Mac Consultant, Comedian", though that doesn't really seal the deal either way.

>> ^StukaFox:
Full disclosure: I work at Microsoft on one of the Bing verticals. I've never heard this story before this video.


How does it feel to be on the dark side?

I strongly suspect this is false, but the brilliant Ballmer impression earns my vote.

Yeah I don't think this is real either, but it's good satire.

In any case, my tall-poppy-syndrome is telling me, "Cut this Ballmer down a notch".

>> ^rougy:
>> ^StukaFox:
Full disclosure: I work at Microsoft on one of the Bing verticals. I've never heard this story before this video.

How does it feel to be on the dark side?


The funny thing? I'm a Linux admin at Microsoft.

Go figure.

>> ^ReverendTed:
I've read elsewhere that Microsoft is pretty "CYA" on hiring\firing papertrails and such - that sound about right, Stuka?
The YouTube account this was posted to is of a "Mac Consultant, Comedian", though that doesn't really seal the deal either way.


Yeah, MS watches its shit when it comes to termination of real employees. I can't see them opening themselves up like this.

This is completely untrue and is a total fabrication. Full disclosure: I am Steve Ballmer.

>> ^kymbos:
This is completely untrue and is a total fabrication. Full disclosure: I am Steve Ballmer.


I generally thought that DARK LORDS had a little more respect.

I believe it, especially the bit about trying so hard to make it catchy in the office. Bing installed a shortcut for itself on my Blackberry, free of any request or confirmation to do so...I just noticed it one day because all icons downstream of it were moved. Can't figure out how to delete it either.

Google!

>> ^Throbbin:
Google!
TL;DR

Ahggg stop that guy in the background from laughing please, it's terrible.

This fatass DOES look like he might have worked at Microsoft, but really? This no-name piece of shit? He's never met Balmer in his life. Honestly.

Fake. Yet, humorous.

Bing!

I don't use it. Never have. Never will.

#1? Really? Slow week at the sift, I see

*promote

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Friday, December 18th, 2009 9:53pm PST - promote requested by marinara.

A close friend of mine has worked at Microsoft for YEARS and this seems completely plausible. The stories he has told me are far more bizarre.

The only proper way to say Bing is in a deadpan voice, when answering Stephen Tobolowsky.