May 30, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Wasted Away Again in Googlenetics-ville

TAGS: Genetic experiments

Warren Buffet: Massively successful investor, friend of Bill Gates, often seen at bridge tournaments.

Jimmy Buffet: Massively successful pop star, Mayor of Margaritaville, often seen at fishing tournaments with salt shaker in hand.

Are the lauded capitalist and the languid crooner related?

No, thank Google.

In one of the weirdest juxtapositions between technology, celebrity, and genetics since the Anna Nicole Smith 'who's your daddy?' debacle, it turns out the two Buffets are not distant cousins after all.

The answer was provided by 23andMe.com, a genetics research firm funded by Google and founded by Mrs. Google, Anne Wojcicki, also known as Mrs. Sergey Brin. Both Buffets provided DNA samples (in the form of spit) to 23andMe, which compared their genomes and arrived at the bad or good news, depending on whether you're Jimmy or Warren.

I see a new national craze in the making. Bill Gates and Robert M. Gates. Larry Ellison and Harlan Ellison. Jessica Simpson and Homer Simpson. The possibilities are endless. Unfortunately, I can't think of a single billionaire named Cringely. Just my luck.

Are you related to the rich and famous? Submit your proof below or email it to me here (no bodily fluids, please). Top tipsters will receive a Cringe bag suitable for carrying genetic samples.

Posted by Robert X. Cringely on May 30, 2007 03:00 AM