Google - not quite the Mecca it's made out to be?

I've blogged a bit here about the wonders of working at Google.  My perspective has always been from an outsider reading some of the various other "Google-Worshipper" blogs and articles out there.

I found an interesting article here - written by a "Microsoftie" - with a behind-the-scenes look at working for Google.  While I like the idea of working with a whole battalion of passionate people...I'm not too keen on the idea of being a "cog".  I guess no company is perfect - I guess it always comes down to prioritizing what you want in a company and finding a fit for your top 3.  I think my top 3 would be:

1. Learning, learning and more learning.  I love expanding my knowledge about development on a daily basis.  It doesn't always have to be code-centric (ie:  finding a more efficient algorithm) - sometimes, it's reading about a new methodology or a new feature in VS.Net.
2. Collaboration with passionate individuals.  That, to me, is one of the tremendous benefits of working in a corporation versus being an independent contractor - collaboration with other people.  There is nothing finer than being able to discuss a design I came up with in the middle of the night with someone who "gets" where I'm coming from and can provide input - or at the very least - confirmation that it makes sense.
3. Interesting Projects/Applications.  This one is self-explanatory.  It doesn't need to be bleeding edge, but it's nice to be on a project that I can sink my teeth into.

I'd be interested in reading other thoughts on the subject.