Odd opening statements for the Build 2018 Keynote

I’m sure both of these opening statements at the Build 2018 Keynote were meant to be funny but I feel they both fell flat and really failed to build any enthusiasm or excitement for the forthcoming presentation.

Charlotte Yarkoni – CVP, Growth and Ecosystem –

We’re supposed to have a few good days of pleasant weather here in Seattle, yet I have the awesome job of trying to convince everybody in this room that you need to sit the next three days in dark windowless spaces listening all about our products.

Satya Nadella – Chief Executive Office –

I hear Bill Gates is talking about stock and he’s talking about the Apple stock and I said, “Wow! In the 30 years that at least I’ve know Bill I’ve never seen him talk about stock but today must be a new day for sure when you hear Bill talk about Apple stock. So, that’s the new Microsoft for you.”

Conversation 10 comments

  • Paul Thurrott

    Premium Member
    07 May, 2018 - 1:41 pm

    <p>Humor is tough. The Apple thing really fell flat, but my reaction to that first comment was, that's what our lives are like every day.</p>

    • Simard57

      07 May, 2018 - 3:38 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#272536"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a></blockquote><p>Seems you and Brad have at least moved out of the basement studios!</p><p><br></p>

    • Minke

      07 May, 2018 - 5:27 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#272536"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yep, best not to struggle for humor if it isn't your thing. It is difficult enough to make a presentation in front of lots of people, so just be yourself and go with it. People prefer authenticity.</p>

  • StevenLayton

    07 May, 2018 - 1:45 pm

    <p>computer jokes died when 3.5 inch floppies become obsolete.</p><p><br></p>

    • skane2600

      07 May, 2018 - 1:53 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#272538"><em>In reply to StevenLayton:</em></a></blockquote><p>But why did they replace the floppy drive with that cup holder? :)</p>

  • skane2600

    07 May, 2018 - 1:51 pm

    <p>Nadella's comment seemed almost Trump-like in its awkwardness. He mentions "stock" four times in one sentence and "Bill" three times. Fortunately that's where the Trump comparison ends.</p>

    • StevenLayton

      07 May, 2018 - 1:58 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#272540"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a><em> Make Microsoft great again, has a certain ring to it.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • hrlngrv

        Premium Member
        07 May, 2018 - 3:29 pm

        <p><a href="#272542"><em>In reply to StevenLayton:</em></a></p><p>Is a special prosecutor needed to determine whether Nadella is colluding with Apple and the Linux Foundation to subvert Windows?</p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    07 May, 2018 - 3:27 pm

    <p>Funny is subjective, and from a dark humor perspective, a BUILD keynote mentioning <strong><em>Window[s]less spaces</em></strong> could be hilarious.</p>

  • Robert-Hostetler

    07 May, 2018 - 4:46 pm

    <p>Regarding the weather in Seattle, I used to live in the Pacific Northwest a couple of years ago (closer to Portland, but still comparable), you get a light sprinkle to medium amount of rain plus gray skies for days on end from around October to April, and I think January and February were the most intense. </p><p><br></p><p>Add to that the countless number of amazing outdoor activities and scenic drives available all over the region (my profile photo was taken at Crater Lake in Oregon) and the result is most people are going way out of their way to do as much outside as possible as soon as the weather is nice. </p><p><br></p><p>So, I think the locals in the crowd were likely nodding their heads in agreement and laughing about that, but she did not give any context into the Pacific Northwest experience to the live stream viewers.</p>

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