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Chapter 561 The Manifestation Ends

After more than three hours, the first day of the California Internet Summit was drawing to a close.

After Ernst finished sharing his views on the future of the Internet, the hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Finally, it was time for the highly anticipated Q&A session. The reporters in the media area were already itching to get started.

From mainstream financial media to science and technology journals, from local news agencies to international news agencies, everyone had their recorders and cameras ready, and Ernst could feel the eagerness in their eyes even from so far away.

However, not all media outlets can have the opportunity to ask questions. They might want to ask for two days and two nights, but the big shots don't have that kind of time.

According to the rules set by the summit organizing committee, each guest will only answer three questions, and they can also choose which media outlet they want to answer questions from.

However, no one would do that. Stanford is the organizer, and if you try to steal the spotlight, you might as well not come at all.

As the host finished speaking, the Q&A session officially began. The first two reporters' questions were relatively mild, focusing on Microsoft's technological layout and future strategy. Ernst even suspected that these two media outlets had been paid by Microsoft, so they couldn't ask anything more sensational, such as the love letter he had spent a fortune to buy.

Bill Gates was very experienced with the first two questions; they were commonplace for him, and he answered them clearly and flawlessly.

"Mr. Gates." The third reporter, holding a microphone, spoke with a hint of deliberate intent in his tone, "There have been rumors that you and Stanford University have a falling out. Does your decision to attend the California Internet Summit indicate that you are proactively extending a gesture of goodwill towards reconciliation with Stanford?" Ernst, who had been fiddling with his fingers and finding the Q&A session dull and boring, instantly perked up upon hearing this question.

He looked up and turned his gaze with great interest to the reporter who had asked the question, his eyes full of encouragement.

His gaze swept over the logo on the other party's microphone. It was a media outlet he wasn't familiar with; judging from the name, it should be a regional newspaper from Silicon Valley.

Very good, I've noted it down. I'll definitely be a patron of your business from now on.

Bill Gates slowly picked up the microphone, his face showing no obvious displeasure, his expression remaining calm, but the dissatisfaction in his voice was clearly audible: "Disagreement? I heard?"

He repeated the two words softly, his tone tinged with a hint of rhetoric: "As a media professional, isn't the most basic professional quality rigorous? Since when have hearsay become material for questions at such a high-level summit?"

"Especially on such a serious occasion as today, from beginning to end I have always believed that Stanford University has hosted a perfect industry event. The agenda design, guest invitations, and on-site organization are all impeccable."

These seemingly complimentary words always have a sarcastic or unsettling tone.

Sure enough, his tone shifted abruptly, carrying a hint of veiled criticism: "However, I might have to retract my earlier thought. At least in the media selection process, there seem to be some minor flaws."

"For such a high-level summit, not everyone with a press pass is qualified to ask questions in such a serious setting, and we certainly cannot allow any unprofessional individuals to come in."

Ernst was delighted, because the animosity between Microsoft and Stanford had deepened.

The media outlets were chosen by the host, and the questions were asked by a local newspaper, making it hard for Bill Gates not to think it was a targeted attack. And while his words just now didn't seem to be directed at Stanford, even a fool could hear the subtle dig in his tone.

Not only Ernst, but also a low chuckle rippled through the hall.

Some people treated it as a minor incident, a joke, and laughed it off.

But some people ridiculed them, especially their peers.

Indeed, the saying "rivals in the same trade are enemies" is becoming increasingly relevant.

Only the reporter who asked the question turned ashen-faced, and his hand holding the microphone trembled slightly.

He knew he had to swallow this bitter pill himself.

The conflict between Bill Gates and Stanford University has long been an open secret within the industry.

But as Bill Gates just asked, all the rumors are just hearsay.

If he continues to press the issue, the other person can then press him relentlessly about who told him that, a question that is impossible to answer.

Ernst shook his head at the reporter's defeat, abandoning his idea of ​​patronizing the newspaper.

That's so damn lame. Can't you be a little more shameless and just make up some excuse? You could say you heard it from the neighbor's dog and your dog. What could Bill Gates do then?

Even if you are sued for spreading rumors, can the court verify the information by asking your dog?

After Bill Gates finished asking his question, it was John Chambers' turn.

I don't know if this guy is a 30-year-old married man, but a group of reporters weren't interested in him at all.

The three questions were all fairly standard, focusing on Cisco's business expansion and market competition strategies.

They acted as if they were just fulfilling a quota by handing over grain, asking questions and then forgetting about it.

John Chambers's answer was equally predictable, without any surprises, highlights, or originality.

"Next up is our Mr. Ernst Garfield. Mr. Garfield, would you like to specify which media outlets would like to ask questions?" The host asked Ernst with a smile, following the established procedure.

Ernst shook his head slightly, which was entirely expected by everyone.

Just like the two before him, he clearly wouldn't choose to steal the spotlight in such an occasion.

Seeing this, the host said no more and directly selected one of the reporters who raised their hands, signaling them to ask a question.

"Mr. Garfield, hello, I'm Yang, a reporter from the San Jose Mercury News." The reporter stood up and politely introduced himself. The San Jose Mercury News is the most influential news media in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was not only the world's first newspaper to offer an online e-paper service, but it has also won a Pulitzer Prize.

Their professionalism and authority in reporting are widely recognized in the industry, and Ernst's companies all subscribe to their newspaper.

"In your speech just now, you elaborated on the huge development potential of the live streaming industry. However, after listening, I feel that the investment threshold of the live streaming industry seems to be quite high. Whether it is technology research and development, platform construction, or market promotion, it requires huge capital investment, which seems to be more than the investment of other Internet companies."

"So, regarding investment returns, how do you guarantee that the live streaming industry will be profitable, ensuring that revenue exceeds investment?"

How to make revenue exceed investment is the question they really want to ask, not just about the live streaming sector.

Everyone present knew that the current internet industry was in a special stage of development.

The concept is very popular and the future is very promising, but it doesn't change the fact that 99 out of 100 internet companies are operating at a loss.

For the vast majority of internet companies, profitability remains a distant goal.

Since all internet companies are not profitable, why should my proposed ideas be profitable?

But that's all he could think; Ernst certainly couldn't say that.

After a brief pause, he picked up the microphone and replied, "As you all know, the development of any industry or technology cannot be achieved overnight; it requires a relatively long process."

"From the initial concept to the preliminary product development, and then to the formation of a complete solution, through the continuous accumulation of technology and the continuous optimization of products, a complete industrial chain with core value and stable revenue generation will eventually be formed." "This is a gradual and continuous accumulation process, and it is impossible to see obvious returns in the short term."

"Investing is about investing in the future; it's about recognizing the long-term development potential of an industry or a technology."

Ernst's gaze swept across the venue. "As technology continues to upgrade and iterate, the related R&D costs and operating costs will inevitably decrease gradually."

"At the same time, as the industry continues to grow and the user base continues to expand, the overall revenue of the industry will also steadily increase."

"As for how far the live streaming industry will develop in the future, no one can give an absolutely accurate answer."

Ernst turned his gaze back to the reporter who had asked the question, and smiled slightly, saying, "Just like you asked, I certainly can't guarantee that this industry will be profitable in the short term. But on the other hand, who can guarantee 100% that this industry won't become one of the most promising branches of the internet industry in the future?"

"Investment itself is accompanied by uncertainty, and it is precisely this uncertainty that breeds tremendous opportunities."

The reporter from the San Jose Mercury News continued to press for details, such as the average timeline for internet companies to become profitable and their potential profit models.

But Ernst just shrugged. "You don't really believe what your colleagues say, that I'm God's son left on earth, do you?"

Laughter erupted again in the room. The host took control of the pace, signaling the end of the questioning session and inviting the next reporter to ask a question.

Next up to ask a question was a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, California's largest newspaper.

"Mr. Garfield, since you are so optimistic about the development potential of the live streaming industry, why did you choose to invest in Jennifer Linley and let her lead the related startups in the live streaming industry, instead of having your company get involved yourself?" "For example, handing it over to Google and letting Google lead the research and development and promotion of live streaming technology, I believe that would allow this industry to develop more rapidly."

Upon hearing this question, many people in the room showed expressions of sudden realization.

Yes, with Ernst's vision and Google's powerful resources, they are fully capable of leading the development of the live streaming industry on their own.

Ernst glanced at the reporter who asked the question, thinking to himself, "Are you even a local media professional in California? You seem more like a spy infiltrated from Washington, D.C."

He glanced around slightly, still relaxed on the sofa, and said in a light tone, "The internet industry ecosystem is extremely vast, with numerous and diverse sub-sectors. It's impossible for any individual or company to be comprehensive and involved in every single industry branch."

Even Google needs to pay huge service fees to other Internet service providers every year to ensure the normal operation of its business.

At this point, Ernst turned his gaze to Larry Ellison sitting in the audience. "I think Larry is the most qualified to answer this question."

"Oracle earns a considerable amount of money from Google's technical services every year, but the company has never expressed any gratitude to me, its major benefactor, and instead often contradicts me."

Ernst's words instantly enlivened the atmosphere in the room, with many people showing knowing smiles, and some even bursting into laughter.

Just yesterday, the local Redwood City newspaper published Larry Ellison's marriage proposal.

Reporters are incredibly resourceful; they found out the details that very day. This marriage proposal was Ernst's revenge.

Of course, after the laughter subsided, many people couldn't help but glance at Bill Gates. They felt that Ernst's earlier remark about not being able to dabble in every industry was loaded with meaning, seemingly a veiled criticism of Microsoft and Bill Gates.

Microsoft's approach to the internet industry has always been characterized by comprehensive expansion, attempting to dominate multiple sectors.

He had always been invincible until the only time he suffered a defeat, which was brought upon him by the man who spoke.

Ernst's third question was given directly to The New York Times by the moderator.

As one of the world's most influential media outlets, it's perfectly reasonable for The New York Times to be the finale.

"Mr. Garfield, what is your view on the current situation of Continental Telecom? Will you sell Continental Telecom?"

The room fell silent instantly; everyone's ears perked up, and all eyes were fixed on Ernst.

Everyone outside thought that Ernst was about to suffer his first major setback with Continental Telecom. Continental Telecom's silence and his lack of response to the pressure from Wall Street and the telecom business were seen as signs of resignation.

"How do you see?" Ernst joked. "I see with my eyes, just like you."

Then his expression turned serious. "As for the questions you raised, and the current opinions from the outside world, I can only say that anything is possible before things are definitively concluded."

Many people gasped in surprise, their faces filled with excitement.

This is big news! It's Ernst's provocation against Wall Street and the telecommunications industry. Whether he's bluffing or has a real plan up his sleeve...

These remarks, once reported, will reignite public interest, allowing these journalists to once again reap the rewards of their efforts without lifting a finger.

Seeing Ernst put down the microphone, the host took over and began the final closing remarks.

Overall, the California Internet Summit was a great success, at least on the first day.

He exchanged a few words with John Chambers, didn't even glance at Bill Gates, and turned to walk backstage.

As soon as he stepped off the stage, a clear female voice chased after him from behind, "Mr. Garfield, may I have the honor of making a phone call?"

She's a girl with big eyes, and she wears gold-rimmed glasses with a chain.

Ernst gave a charming smile as he looked at the prey that had come to him.

"Of course, it's my honor."