SERGEY BRIN AND LARRY PAGE.

Biz cred, Filthy rich, Geek cred, Annoyingly young

Ages: both 32 Why do we envy the emperors? Let's not be petty: It isn't the 37 million shares of Google they each own, recently worth altogether about $23 billion. Sure, it would be sort of neat to tool home in some suitably low-key ride and casually remark to the sig other that we'd made a couple hundred mil that day. And yeah, window-shopping at Boeing must be a rush. But the best part of being a Google Guy is that you're in the Software Zone. You're Michael Jordan circa 1992. Think the world should be able to search every book in the world? No problem, start scanning. Want to let people zoom around on 3-D satellite maps? Done. E-mail? No, Gmail. Disgusted with Wall Street mendacity? Hold an online IPO. Reinvent advertising? Yawn. Oh, to build a product that becomes an everyday verb--and to carry off a motto like "Don't be evil"! These guys have the brains that make Silicon Valley girls swoon.

PHOTO (COLOR)

~~~~~~~~

By Oliver Ryan