>> OK, so most of these aren't particularly surprising. Microsoft, Google,
>> Apple, Intel, IBM, and a few oil companies. It's perhaps slightly
>> surprising that (for example) IBM is more profitable than Apple. But
>> there's no surprise that these guys are all at the top.
>
> Why would it be a surprise that IBM is more profitable than Apple?

Because, last I heard, the company was in severe financial trouble and 
was close to being liquidated. To go from that to being one of the most 
profitable companies on Earth is a pretty big turn-around.

>> The real surprise is... wait, Exxon? For real?! Jesus, I thought they
>> went bankrupt decades ago... Apparently they're still alive somehow.
>
> Not just somehow... They're one of the bigger players in North America.

That's what's so surprising. Not only have they somehow survived, but 
they're profitable. And not just a bit profitable. /Very/ profitable. In 
fact /the most/ profitable that it is physically possible to be. That's 
really unexpected.

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