Ask HN: What does it take to get a job at Google?

What kind of things a person should be able to do to get a job at Google? Do you have to be a genius or can a normal competent programmer find his way there? Is it possible to do for a self-taught programmer or do you need a CS degree? What sort of stuff do you need to have in your portfolio? How does the application process look like? Can you share some experience/advice?