The value of the 71-year-old's companies as measured by Forbes, around $74 billion, is nearly twice the projected 2011 power balance gross domestic product of Lebanon, from where Slim's father fled to Mexico in 1902 to escape Ottoman rule.
Slim, who tops the list of Forbes' richest people for the second year in a row, increased the gap between his nearest rivals Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, both of whom have vowed to give guess handbags up much of their money to charity. [ID:nN09283763]
Though Slim has also channeled billions of dollars into philanthropic causes, he has kept a tighter rein on his fortune, most of which is controlled by his family.
Businessmen do more good by creating jobs and wealth via investment "not by being Santa Claus," Slim likes to say.
"One should not seek exposure or applause for the things one does, but simply do them well for one's own sense of accomplishment," he once said about his social work.
The biggest boost to Slim's wealth in 2011 guess handbags came when he realized big savings and wrongfooted competitors by carrying out a $21 billion tie-up between his telecom companies to create a sectoral conglomerate under America Movil (AMX.N) (AMXL.MX).
Cash continued to flood in after power balance Slim made an aggressive bet on the price of raw materials through mining investments within his Grupo Carso (GCARSOA1.MX) holding.
While business success dominates media coverage of Slim, his predecessors at the top of the list have made headlines in recent years as celebrated philanthropists.
Microsoft (MSFT.O) co-founder Gates has given away more than a third of his wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. Buffett said in 2006 he planned to give up around 85 guess handbags percent of his wealth to charitable causes.
Slim has two major foundations worth around $10 billion in total, according to his spokesman Arturo Elias Ayub.
Much of Slim's charitable work is overseen by his three daughters. Management of his most important companies has passed to his three sons, nephews and sons-in-law.
NOT SLOWING UP
From a savvy kid who bought his first government savings bond at age 11 to becoming the world's richest man, Slim is one of the most influential entrepreneurs in Latin America. But it has not all been smooth sailing.
No stranger to controversy at summer fashion 2011 shop home, where detractors accuse him of using political connections to kick-start his rise two decades ago, Slim is now embroiled in a competition row over his dominant position in the telecommunications industry.
2011年3月9日星期三
2011年3月7日星期一
New York guess handbags Times reported that US
Mr Ban's office also said Colonel Gaddafi's foreign minister had agreed to let a "humanitarian assessment" team summer fashion guess handbags shop visit Tripoli.
With the military situation worsening and population centres threatened, influential US politicians argued strongly for a US operation to arm the rebels and secure a no-fly zone over Libya to thwart Colonel Gaddafi's air force.
Former US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson said it was time to "covertly arm the rebels" and enforce a no-fly zone over Libya.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman John Kerry said he assumed "a lot of weapons are going to find their way there from one means or another over the course of the next weeks".
The New York Times reported that US defence planners are preparing a range of land, sea and air summer fashion shop military options in Libya in case Washington and its allies decide to intervene there, including air-drops of weapons to rebels.
France announced that a no-fly zone had won support from the Arab League, after talks between League secretary-general Amr Mussa and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe in Cairo.
Colonel Gaddafi has not hesitated to use his guess handbags air power against rebel positions, and reports that his jets bombed protesters in Benghazi in the early days of the revolt are among reported atrocities being investigated by war crimes prosecutors from the International Criminal Court.
The rebels were forced to withdraw from Bin Jawad, 30km west along the coast from Ras Lanuf, where at least 12 people were killed and more than 50 wounded when pro-Gaddafi troops ambushed outgunned and inexperienced rebel forces, medics said.
Ras Lanuf's sole hospital was empty lastest guess handbags night after the wounded were moved to Ajdabiya, further east in rebel territory at Ajdabiya.
The odd crackle of gunfire sounded last night across the eerily deserted streets of Ras Lanuf after vehicles loaded with armed rebels were seen speeding out of the town.
The remaining rebel presence appeared very thin, only about a dozen fighters manning the main checkpoint into the town.
The UN called last night for $US160 million to cover relief support including shelter, food and sanitation for refugees as well as others who remained trapped in the strife-torn north African country.
World oil prices shot higher lastr night, striking 2.5 year highs on the turmoil in Libya and the Middle East, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April, briefly hit $US106.45 a barrel - the highest level since September 2008, while in London, Brent North Sea crude for April fashion 2011 guess handbags climbed to $116.99.
Colonel Gaddafi, in an interview aired last night by France24 television, repeated his accusation that al-Qa'ida was fomenting the revolt against his regime and railed against France.
When asked about Paris's backing for the national council - the embryonic provisional government formed by rebels in the second city of Benghazi - Colonel Gaddafi said: "It makes one laugh, this interference in internal affairs.
"And what if we interfered in the affairs of Corsica or Sardinia?" he said, speaking in Arabic.
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Rome has begun discreet talks with the rebel National Council to help find a way out of the bloodshed.
"We have better guess handbags contacts than others" in Libya, which is an ex-Italian colony, Mr Frattini told RAI 1 television.
Britain was forced to admit its own, secret, attempt to begin negotiations with the rebels had ended ignominiously after opposition forces arrested a diplomat and a protection squad inserted clandestinely by helicopter.
In Benghazi, a rebel spokesman said the British team that landed nearby had not made prior arrangements, and was sent away.
An embarrassing mix-up in the international effort to evacuate tens of thousands of refugees saw a French ship guess handbags summer 2011 leave empty from the Tunisian port of Zarzis after US planes appeared to have taken their human cargo.
The hi-tech helicopter carrier Mistral arrived after steaming from Toulon with 28 doctors aboard. It was supposed to take 900 Egyptians to Alexandria, but found most of them had already been airlifted to Cairo by guess handbags USA planes Sunday
With the military situation worsening and population centres threatened, influential US politicians argued strongly for a US operation to arm the rebels and secure a no-fly zone over Libya to thwart Colonel Gaddafi's air force.
Former US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson said it was time to "covertly arm the rebels" and enforce a no-fly zone over Libya.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman John Kerry said he assumed "a lot of weapons are going to find their way there from one means or another over the course of the next weeks".
The New York Times reported that US defence planners are preparing a range of land, sea and air summer fashion shop military options in Libya in case Washington and its allies decide to intervene there, including air-drops of weapons to rebels.
France announced that a no-fly zone had won support from the Arab League, after talks between League secretary-general Amr Mussa and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe in Cairo.
Colonel Gaddafi has not hesitated to use his guess handbags air power against rebel positions, and reports that his jets bombed protesters in Benghazi in the early days of the revolt are among reported atrocities being investigated by war crimes prosecutors from the International Criminal Court.
The rebels were forced to withdraw from Bin Jawad, 30km west along the coast from Ras Lanuf, where at least 12 people were killed and more than 50 wounded when pro-Gaddafi troops ambushed outgunned and inexperienced rebel forces, medics said.
Ras Lanuf's sole hospital was empty lastest guess handbags night after the wounded were moved to Ajdabiya, further east in rebel territory at Ajdabiya.
The odd crackle of gunfire sounded last night across the eerily deserted streets of Ras Lanuf after vehicles loaded with armed rebels were seen speeding out of the town.
The remaining rebel presence appeared very thin, only about a dozen fighters manning the main checkpoint into the town.
The UN called last night for $US160 million to cover relief support including shelter, food and sanitation for refugees as well as others who remained trapped in the strife-torn north African country.
World oil prices shot higher lastr night, striking 2.5 year highs on the turmoil in Libya and the Middle East, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April, briefly hit $US106.45 a barrel - the highest level since September 2008, while in London, Brent North Sea crude for April fashion 2011 guess handbags climbed to $116.99.
Colonel Gaddafi, in an interview aired last night by France24 television, repeated his accusation that al-Qa'ida was fomenting the revolt against his regime and railed against France.
When asked about Paris's backing for the national council - the embryonic provisional government formed by rebels in the second city of Benghazi - Colonel Gaddafi said: "It makes one laugh, this interference in internal affairs.
"And what if we interfered in the affairs of Corsica or Sardinia?" he said, speaking in Arabic.
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Rome has begun discreet talks with the rebel National Council to help find a way out of the bloodshed.
"We have better guess handbags contacts than others" in Libya, which is an ex-Italian colony, Mr Frattini told RAI 1 television.
Britain was forced to admit its own, secret, attempt to begin negotiations with the rebels had ended ignominiously after opposition forces arrested a diplomat and a protection squad inserted clandestinely by helicopter.
In Benghazi, a rebel spokesman said the British team that landed nearby had not made prior arrangements, and was sent away.
An embarrassing mix-up in the international effort to evacuate tens of thousands of refugees saw a French ship guess handbags summer 2011 leave empty from the Tunisian port of Zarzis after US planes appeared to have taken their human cargo.
The hi-tech helicopter carrier Mistral arrived after steaming from Toulon with 28 doctors aboard. It was supposed to take 900 Egyptians to Alexandria, but found most of them had already been airlifted to Cairo by guess handbags USA planes Sunday
2011年3月4日星期五
Gingrich was the face of the guess handbags
For a time, Gingrich was the face of the guess handbags Republican Party, for better or worse. He survived a coup attempt by some of his lieutenants in 1997 guess handbags. He stepped down as speaker after his party suffered embarrassing losses in the 1998 midterm election and later left Congress. That could have ended his public career. But he resurrected himself and has become the CEO of an idea-generating mini-conglomerate that is uniquely his.
Gingrich's move toward the 2011 fashion trends race came Thursday, with the announcement that he will begin testing the waters for a potential campaign. That is a legal nicety, given federal election laws, that keeps him one step short of a candidacy. It will also allow him to conclude whatever business obligations he has from his various enterprises before formally announcing a bid.
But unless there is some hiccup in the next month or two, Gingrich will be in the forefront of the race for guess handbags the GOP presidential nomination. His rivals do not underestimate his intelligence, creativity and political acumen, nor should they buy guess handbags online. He will be a major force in defining the direction of the party at a critical time in its history.
Gingrich's attributes could take him a considerable distance in the race. He should be able to raise the money necessary to compete. He has a network of connections built over decades of grass-roots work. He has able advisers who have been loyal to him through his long career and who understand his weaknesses and his strengths.
He would excite Republican voters with his nonstop ideas and his knowledge of history. He would impress them with his big-picture view of the country and its politics. He would be fierce in debate, showing a command of the details of domestic programs and the world's hot spots. He would have a global view shaped by his long experience and his conservative philosophy.
All this comes naturally to a politician with an insatiable appetite for information and an ability to process it and turn guess handbags into his own message. He understands the Republican base, though he has never been slavish in following its every desire. He understands presidential power, having jousted with Clinton in the mid-1990s enough to absorb what made the president such a worthy adversary.
Over his career, Gingrich has been a brilliant provocateur. It is his natural stance as a politician, owing to the battles that shaped his early years in the House. He has railed for so long against what he once called "the corrupt liberal welfare state" that he easily slips into overdrive in his condemnations of the left.
That may rouse the base, but it has rarely been a winning formula in a presidential campaign. His passions and exuberances are clear. More pertinent is whether Gingrich could show the steadiness, the calm and the maturity that voters seek in a president - both in his public words and comportment and in the way he would allow his campaign to be run.
His success depends on many factors, some beyond his control. But if there is a single quality likely to determine his fate, it is one that has sometimes been missing in his public career: discipline.
Does Gingrich have the discipline required of all successful presidential candidates - the discipline to keep his guess handbags focus, to avoid meaningless fights, to ignore barbs from his guess handbags critics, to show statesmanship? The answers will soon be forthcoming.
Gingrich's move toward the 2011 fashion trends race came Thursday, with the announcement that he will begin testing the waters for a potential campaign. That is a legal nicety, given federal election laws, that keeps him one step short of a candidacy. It will also allow him to conclude whatever business obligations he has from his various enterprises before formally announcing a bid.
But unless there is some hiccup in the next month or two, Gingrich will be in the forefront of the race for guess handbags the GOP presidential nomination. His rivals do not underestimate his intelligence, creativity and political acumen, nor should they buy guess handbags online. He will be a major force in defining the direction of the party at a critical time in its history.
Gingrich's attributes could take him a considerable distance in the race. He should be able to raise the money necessary to compete. He has a network of connections built over decades of grass-roots work. He has able advisers who have been loyal to him through his long career and who understand his weaknesses and his strengths.
He would excite Republican voters with his nonstop ideas and his knowledge of history. He would impress them with his big-picture view of the country and its politics. He would be fierce in debate, showing a command of the details of domestic programs and the world's hot spots. He would have a global view shaped by his long experience and his conservative philosophy.
All this comes naturally to a politician with an insatiable appetite for information and an ability to process it and turn guess handbags into his own message. He understands the Republican base, though he has never been slavish in following its every desire. He understands presidential power, having jousted with Clinton in the mid-1990s enough to absorb what made the president such a worthy adversary.
Over his career, Gingrich has been a brilliant provocateur. It is his natural stance as a politician, owing to the battles that shaped his early years in the House. He has railed for so long against what he once called "the corrupt liberal welfare state" that he easily slips into overdrive in his condemnations of the left.
That may rouse the base, but it has rarely been a winning formula in a presidential campaign. His passions and exuberances are clear. More pertinent is whether Gingrich could show the steadiness, the calm and the maturity that voters seek in a president - both in his public words and comportment and in the way he would allow his campaign to be run.
His success depends on many factors, some beyond his control. But if there is a single quality likely to determine his fate, it is one that has sometimes been missing in his public career: discipline.
Does Gingrich have the discipline required of all successful presidential candidates - the discipline to keep his guess handbags focus, to avoid meaningless fights, to ignore barbs from his guess handbags critics, to show statesmanship? The answers will soon be forthcoming.
2011年2月28日星期一
The concession could bring to guess handbags
In a brief statement to the media Monday, Random House said that it has agreed to "the agency model for e‐book sales guess handbags 2011" in the U.S. effective Tuesday. That means that going forward, "Random House will set consumer prices for the e‐ books we publish, and […] will provide retailers with a commission for each sale," the publisher said.
The concession could bring to an end a near year-long standoff between Random House and Apple's iTunes-based iBookstore, which operates on the so called 'agency model' that allows the company serving the content to take a cut of sales. For its iBookstore, Apple employs the same 70-30 split that has seen renowned success on its App Store for software on the iPhone and iPod touch.
"The agency model guarantees a higher margin for retailers than did our previous sales terms," Random House said. "We are making this change both as an investment in the successful digital transition of our existing partners and in order to give us the opportunity to forge new guess handbags retail relationships."
The statement appears to imply that the publisher could be on the verge of announcing plans to bring its catalog to Apple's iOS devices though the iPhone and iPad maker's iBookstore. Currently, iOS device users can only purchase and download from Random House's digital catalog through Amazon's Kindle app for those devices.
In the lead up to the launch of Apple's iPad last April, Random House executives were said to be exploring the adoption of the agency model with their authors and agents before agreeing to Apple's terms, which dictate that Apple receives a 30% cut of all sales on the iBookstore. At the time, chief executive Markus Dohle said his company hadn't ruled out reaching a deal before the April 3rd, 2010 launch of the tablet device, but added that he was guess handbags
The concession could bring to an end a near year-long standoff between Random House and Apple's iTunes-based iBookstore, which operates on the so called 'agency model' that allows the company serving the content to take a cut of sales. For its iBookstore, Apple employs the same 70-30 split that has seen renowned success on its App Store for software on the iPhone and iPod touch.
"The agency model guarantees a higher margin for retailers than did our previous sales terms," Random House said. "We are making this change both as an investment in the successful digital transition of our existing partners and in order to give us the opportunity to forge new guess handbags retail relationships."
The statement appears to imply that the publisher could be on the verge of announcing plans to bring its catalog to Apple's iOS devices though the iPhone and iPad maker's iBookstore. Currently, iOS device users can only purchase and download from Random House's digital catalog through Amazon's Kindle app for those devices.
In the lead up to the launch of Apple's iPad last April, Random House executives were said to be exploring the adoption of the agency model with their authors and agents before agreeing to Apple's terms, which dictate that Apple receives a 30% cut of all sales on the iBookstore. At the time, chief executive Markus Dohle said his company hadn't ruled out reaching a deal before the April 3rd, 2010 launch of the tablet device, but added that he was guess handbags
The concession could bring to an end a near guess handbags
In a brief statement to the media Monday, Random House said that it has agreed to "the agency model for e‐book sales" in the guess handbags U.S.A effective Tuesday. That means that going forward, "Random House will set consumer prices for the e‐ books we publish, and […] will provide retailers with a commission for each sale," the publisher said.
The concession could bring to an end a near year-long standoff between Random House and Apple's iTunes-based iBookstore, which operates on the so called 'agency model' that allows the company serving the content to take a cut of sales. For its iBookstore, Apple employs the same 70-30 split that has seen renowned success on its App Store for software on the iPhone and iPod touch.
"The agency model guarantees a higher margin for retailers than did our previous sales terms," Random House said. "We are making this change both as an investment in the successful digital transition of our existing partners and in order to give us the opportunity to forge new retail relationships." fashion 2011
The statement appears to imply that the publisher could be on the verge of announcing plans to bring its catalog to Apple's iOS devices though the iPhone and iPad maker's iBookstore. Currently, iOS device users can only purchase and download from Random House's digital catalog through Amazon's Kindle app for those devices.
In the lead up to the launch of Apple's iPad last April, Random House executives were said to be exploring the adoption of the agency model with their authors and agents before agreeing to Apple's terms, which dictate that Apple receives a 30% cut of all sales on the iBookstore. At the time, chief executive Markus Dohle said his company hadn't ruled out reaching a deal before the April 3rd, 2010 launch of the tablet device, but added that he was guess handbags
The concession could bring to an end a near year-long standoff between Random House and Apple's iTunes-based iBookstore, which operates on the so called 'agency model' that allows the company serving the content to take a cut of sales. For its iBookstore, Apple employs the same 70-30 split that has seen renowned success on its App Store for software on the iPhone and iPod touch.
"The agency model guarantees a higher margin for retailers than did our previous sales terms," Random House said. "We are making this change both as an investment in the successful digital transition of our existing partners and in order to give us the opportunity to forge new retail relationships." fashion 2011
The statement appears to imply that the publisher could be on the verge of announcing plans to bring its catalog to Apple's iOS devices though the iPhone and iPad maker's iBookstore. Currently, iOS device users can only purchase and download from Random House's digital catalog through Amazon's Kindle app for those devices.
In the lead up to the launch of Apple's iPad last April, Random House executives were said to be exploring the adoption of the agency model with their authors and agents before agreeing to Apple's terms, which dictate that Apple receives a 30% cut of all sales on the iBookstore. At the time, chief executive Markus Dohle said his company hadn't ruled out reaching a deal before the April 3rd, 2010 launch of the tablet device, but added that he was guess handbags
2011年2月23日星期三
New York won't win a championship this season
This is what they wanted, city and player. Anthony wanted to play in a big summer fashion market -- a big east coast market, if possible -- and play on a team with a chance to win. New York won't win a championship this season, but with Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, both 26, they have the building blocks of a potential dynasty. A couple of good drafts, a free agent or two, maybe another big deal (hello, Chris Paul) and the Knicks should be in business.
The fans wanted it, too. They liked Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler. And Timofey Mozgov was starting to grow on them. But Anthony? They love Anthony. Late Monday night when news of the deal first broke, a cluster of weary people waiting in a cab line at JFK airport clutching BlackBerry's burst out in a staggered cheer. On Wednesday it wasn't just the Garden that was sold out; outside the arena hundreds of fans, some carrying hand made signs with summer fashion 2011 messages to Anthony, pressed near the building to watch the game on the big screens hanging from the walls.
Carmelo's team, Amar'e's team...who cares? Fans here love them both equally. As long as they win, of course. See, the fans gave Stephon Marbury a standing ovation, too. They cheered even louder when he was traded out of town. They stood behind Eddy Curry for a while. Then they made him a punch line.
Knicks fans are fed up with losing. They have had to endure Isiah Thomas, the executive, the coach and now the far-reaching influence who continues to meddle in the organizations affairs. At Anthony's introductory press conference on Wednesday, owner James Dolan called Thomas "a good friend" but emphatically denied Thomas had any voice in the Anthony deal. A good sound byte, sure, why would Thomas, when asked directly this week if he had any role in the Knicks courtship of Anthony, offer up a bland "no comment."
Whatever. However it happened, Anthony is a Knick and he and Stoudemire have one mandate now: win. And that will take time. Throw Wednesday night's sloppy 114-108 win over the Bucks out. Despite scoring 27 points, Anthony looked nervous and Mike D'Antoni was explaining plays to Chauncey Billups as he was bringing the ball up the floor. More than once, Billups and Anthony made eye contact and ran one of the Nuggets' plays they were more familiar with.
"There were a few times we looked at each other and we just didn't know the plays," Billups said. "So I just said to him, 'let's do what we do.'"
Billups will learn the offense. Anthony, too. Figuring out how to play with their new teammates -- Stoudemire in particular -- may be a little more difficult. Both Anthony and Stoudemire like the ball in their hands and when it gets there, oftentimes it won't come back out. It will be incumbent on each to change summer fashion, to adjust their games so it better fits the system.
"We can work on some of it," said D'Antoni. "Some of [the time] it's going to stop in great hands. We'll find out as we go on. Amar'e will get his touches [and] we'll get it to where everybody's good. When they are all on the same page, it makes it a lot easier."
"I think it's pretty obvious to the players...that we're going to be pretty potent offensively. We have a lot of solutions to be a lot smoother and a lot better. If we can continue to guard as a team and double rebound in these next 27 games, if we continue to improve defensively, we can be good."
Just how good remains to be seen. When Anthony went to the free throw line late in the fourth quarter, the crowd showered summer fashion trends 2011 him with "Me-lo" chants.
The fans wanted it, too. They liked Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler. And Timofey Mozgov was starting to grow on them. But Anthony? They love Anthony. Late Monday night when news of the deal first broke, a cluster of weary people waiting in a cab line at JFK airport clutching BlackBerry's burst out in a staggered cheer. On Wednesday it wasn't just the Garden that was sold out; outside the arena hundreds of fans, some carrying hand made signs with summer fashion 2011 messages to Anthony, pressed near the building to watch the game on the big screens hanging from the walls.
Carmelo's team, Amar'e's team...who cares? Fans here love them both equally. As long as they win, of course. See, the fans gave Stephon Marbury a standing ovation, too. They cheered even louder when he was traded out of town. They stood behind Eddy Curry for a while. Then they made him a punch line.
Knicks fans are fed up with losing. They have had to endure Isiah Thomas, the executive, the coach and now the far-reaching influence who continues to meddle in the organizations affairs. At Anthony's introductory press conference on Wednesday, owner James Dolan called Thomas "a good friend" but emphatically denied Thomas had any voice in the Anthony deal. A good sound byte, sure, why would Thomas, when asked directly this week if he had any role in the Knicks courtship of Anthony, offer up a bland "no comment."
Whatever. However it happened, Anthony is a Knick and he and Stoudemire have one mandate now: win. And that will take time. Throw Wednesday night's sloppy 114-108 win over the Bucks out. Despite scoring 27 points, Anthony looked nervous and Mike D'Antoni was explaining plays to Chauncey Billups as he was bringing the ball up the floor. More than once, Billups and Anthony made eye contact and ran one of the Nuggets' plays they were more familiar with.
"There were a few times we looked at each other and we just didn't know the plays," Billups said. "So I just said to him, 'let's do what we do.'"
Billups will learn the offense. Anthony, too. Figuring out how to play with their new teammates -- Stoudemire in particular -- may be a little more difficult. Both Anthony and Stoudemire like the ball in their hands and when it gets there, oftentimes it won't come back out. It will be incumbent on each to change summer fashion, to adjust their games so it better fits the system.
"We can work on some of it," said D'Antoni. "Some of [the time] it's going to stop in great hands. We'll find out as we go on. Amar'e will get his touches [and] we'll get it to where everybody's good. When they are all on the same page, it makes it a lot easier."
"I think it's pretty obvious to the players...that we're going to be pretty potent offensively. We have a lot of solutions to be a lot smoother and a lot better. If we can continue to guard as a team and double rebound in these next 27 games, if we continue to improve defensively, we can be good."
Just how good remains to be seen. When Anthony went to the free throw line late in the fourth quarter, the crowd showered summer fashion trends 2011 him with "Me-lo" chants.
2011年2月15日星期二
This was round one of a three-part face-off pitting human against computer
Monday night's episode of "Jeopardy !" matched Brad Rutter and Ken Jennings, the most successful contestants in the show's 27-year history, against Watson, a supercomputer with the power of a 2,800-computer network and a whopping 15 terabytes — that's 15 trillion bytes — of memory.
Rutter and Watson, named for IBM co-founder Thomas J. Watson, were tied at $5,000 by show's end. Jennings lagged with $2,000.
This was round one of a three-part face-off pitting human against computer.
"You are about to witness what may prove to be an historic competition," host Alex Trebek told viewers.
"I am a deep question-and-answering system," Watson said, introducing itself.
Watson took the lead in the first few minutes of the program, answering question after question correctly.
"Wanted for stealing bread in 'Les Miserables.' " "Who is Jean Valjean?" Watson responded with lightning quick speed.
"The decade in which the first modern crosswords were published and Oreo cookies were first produced."
"What is the 1920s?" Watson asked, repeating the incorrect response given by Jennings seconds earlier.
Proof of the fallibility of technology? Perhaps.
It was at this point in the first round, however, that the human race began to show promise as Rutter took control in the latter half of the program. Rutter won $3.25 million in his previous appearances on the show; Jennings, who won 74 consecutive games in 2004, won $2.5 million.
The stakes are high in this challenge, with a $1 million first prize, $300,000 for second place and $200,000 for third place. Contestants have agreed to donate at least half of their winnings to charity.
Episodes No. 2 and 3 of the "Jeopardy!" man vs. machine challenge will air tonight and Wednesday.
The bouts were taped at the IBM research center in Yorktown Heights, Westchester County, last month.
The hardware Watson runs on is a cluster of IBM Power 750 servers. The chips for it come from the Power 7 series built at East Fishkill.
Rutter and Watson, named for IBM co-founder Thomas J. Watson, were tied at $5,000 by show's end. Jennings lagged with $2,000.
This was round one of a three-part face-off pitting human against computer.
"You are about to witness what may prove to be an historic competition," host Alex Trebek told viewers.
"I am a deep question-and-answering system," Watson said, introducing itself.
Watson took the lead in the first few minutes of the program, answering question after question correctly.
"Wanted for stealing bread in 'Les Miserables.' " "Who is Jean Valjean?" Watson responded with lightning quick speed.
"The decade in which the first modern crosswords were published and Oreo cookies were first produced."
"What is the 1920s?" Watson asked, repeating the incorrect response given by Jennings seconds earlier.
Proof of the fallibility of technology? Perhaps.
It was at this point in the first round, however, that the human race began to show promise as Rutter took control in the latter half of the program. Rutter won $3.25 million in his previous appearances on the show; Jennings, who won 74 consecutive games in 2004, won $2.5 million.
The stakes are high in this challenge, with a $1 million first prize, $300,000 for second place and $200,000 for third place. Contestants have agreed to donate at least half of their winnings to charity.
Episodes No. 2 and 3 of the "Jeopardy!" man vs. machine challenge will air tonight and Wednesday.
The bouts were taped at the IBM research center in Yorktown Heights, Westchester County, last month.
The hardware Watson runs on is a cluster of IBM Power 750 servers. The chips for it come from the Power 7 series built at East Fishkill.
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