I think that Google is immensely influential in the current startup community, for being the best example (in the current market) of a successful, profitable startup. Furthermore, I think their corporate environment is often held as, if not a model of, then at least better than 99% of corporate environments. I'm sure some people (Michael Church is popular on HN, I think) would disagree. But the point is, everyone wants to be the next Google.

So, color me not surprised.