| Author | Topic | | AnonJr
Absent-minded Webmaster
USA
621 Posts |  Posted - 23 Jun 2008 : 22:47:34  
| With Bill Gates' impending retirement, Computerworld.com has been running a series of articles on Bill and his Company. One of which is a choice selection of quotes from various interviews and writings. There were two in particular that caught my attention.
quote:
"Whenever new technologies come along, parents have a legitimate concern about how it's being used. And the Internet had to be high on the list there. You know, my oldest is 11, so we haven't quite gotten into the toughest years in terms of, you know, having Facebook accounts and spending a massive amount of time instant messaging. But I'm sure that's ahead. And we tended to keep our computers at home out in the open, so that as the kids are doing things on the computer, they know we're going to be walking by at any point. And by doing it that way, we've avoided having to have much in the way of hard limits, either in terms of time or specific things. We're just all involved in seeing what's going on and talking about what those things are."
Remarks to the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, March 12, 2008.
I like how even a master of technology like Gates manages to realize that it is not a substitution for good parenting and being involved in his childrens' life. If there was anybody who could have set up the digital nanny, he's the man that could make it happen. And yet, he keeps the computers in the open and makes sure that knows what is going on as well as talking to his kids about what's out there. I like that.
quote:
"You know, in many people's cases, they decide they want to pass most of their wealth on to their children, and that's a perfectly legitimate choice. In my case, I think it's better for society and better for my children if the vast bulk of the wealth that I'm lucky enough to be shepherding at this point, if that goes back to causes that are important, things like access to technology, education, medical research, social services and a variety of things."
Interview with Charlie Rose, March 4, 1998.
There are probably (ok, most likely) people who figure this kind of humility, etc. is a show and/or forced. But, based on the way other people talk about him, and the rest of his public persona, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I find it comforting that he sees his wealth as something that he is lucky enough to be shepherding at this point. That right there says it all. I also find it interesting that he sees it as a service to his children to not leave them his wealth. I wonder if he sees it like that because he's seen the attitudes of the trust fund babies vs. those that clawed themselves up from nothing (like himself, Steve Jobs, the Woz, etc.).
Anyway, at this hour that's about all I can muster. I'd like to see some of your thoughts.  |
There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.
- Will Rogers |
| AXEMAN2415
Guitar Weenie
USA
740 Posts | Posted - 24 Jun 2008 : 19:18:50
| I agree. I think many people criticize Gates because he's wealthy...and they're not!
You see, I believe that greed isn't just a sin of the wealthy...even poor people can be greedy. |
"C'mon Dave, Gimme a break!" |  |
| AnonJr
Absent-minded Webmaster
USA
621 Posts | Posted - 26 Jun 2008 : 19:01:20
| While I wasn't going to go there, I think that you are right. What probably exasperates it is the knowledge that Gates started at the bottom and made his way up there (as did Jobs and a few other notables). He didn't start with a few billion and grow from there, he wasn't bequeathed a few billion from that rich family member - he started a company with his friend and literally lived out of his office. That company was grown into the multi-billion behemoth we know today. Anybody with the right combination of will, vision, and luck can do the same.
Funnily enough, as I type this, there's a radio commercial for some CBS special "Untold Wealth: Rise of the Super Rich". I'm o.k. with most of the commercial ("How they got there", a good question; "How they live", I don't care but its relatively harmless), but the last bit is what kills me "How much is enough?" 
But this is drifting off into "class envy" territory. A worthwhile subject, but one I think we've covered a few times before. 
What I was curious about was your reaction to his attitudes. |
There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.
- Will Rogers | |
| AXEMAN2415
Guitar Weenie
USA
740 Posts | Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 18:08:53
| | It is hard for me to have any kind of reaction to Gates because, although I am aware of him (who isn't?), he's not within personal reach. The only perspective we get of him is through the media...and I am not certain that's a trustworthy source. |
"C'mon Dave, Gimme a break!" | |
| Captain Blasto
Cappuccino Junkie
USA
212 Posts | Posted - 30 Jun 2008 : 08:33:19   
| | Even the "Gates" of Hell will not prevail... <<< I hope this is not referring to any of his other family members !!! |
President of the
Juan Valdez fanclub
Kirk Out | |
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