Ep 333: Toby Baldwin, George Solomos (December 7, 2011)

Rounds: Here.


Richard mentions that Toby has an electronic interest, and asks him how he applies those electronic skills.  Toby responds that he (not surprisingly) does so mostly in musical ways, and in particular is a fan of the "black arts" of valve amplifiers.  He justifies that description by saying that it involves high voltages, high danger, and hasn't really been understood since the sixties.  He thinks it is worth it, though, as they produce better sound, are more stable, and have greater longevity.

Going up against Toby is George Solomos, a transactional banker and business owner.  Apparently George (together with his business partner) has developed a new social network.  Although that's not necessarily concept-new, as he says that they have "basically re-created Facebook", making it a bit more user-friendly and with more of a business networking aspect.  Richard observes that existing social networks are huge businesses, and asks if George thinks that they can match that success.  As you would imagine, George is hoping that they will.


It's an odd game tonight: George is off the pace on the letters, consistently behind.  Toby is even further off on the numbers, invalid twice and eight away on the third.  With the letters rounds being of limited gain -- nothing more than sevens to be found tonight, which doesn't happen very often -- Toby is ahead but vulnerable going into the conundrum.  He does well to find it, though, and takes a slightly shaky win, 43 to 24.

I was a bit off the pace here also, being beaten in two of the letters rounds and ending up with my lowest score since the 38 back in episode 314.  I just barely scraped past 50, breaking the long run of 60+ scores.

As usual, details after the jump.