Gates gives $24 billion to foundation

[Xoc]

In an article more than 10 years ago, Bill Gates pledged to give away almost his entire fortune before he died. He's working on it. The amount of his commitment is enough to embarass some governments. This well-written article gives some idea of what he is doing.

[msnbc.com...]

[ggrot]

I noticed how that was on the front page of MSN. I wonder what they plan on integrating into the next OS that kills another software industry.

[seth_wilde]

good article! Wow, I guess he does have a heart after all :)

[DrCool]

I was in a rural hospital in western Zambia for about a month this summer and the conditions talked about in the article don't even come close to describing the conditions that exsist. Many of these hospitals and health care facilities are so lacking that they have to wash and reuse rubber gloves many times. What they call blankets we wouldn't even use as rags. The hospital I went to sees around 600-800 people a week and about twice that many during the rainy season and there is only 1 doctor and maybe 5 or 6 trained nurses. Most of these people have diseases such as Tuburculosis and Malaria that can be treated or prevented with drugs or vaccinations. Many of the patients have to walk for 2 days or more just to receive treatment. We saw quite a few infants and newborns die while we were there as well. The average birth weight was around 2-3 pounds due to malnutrition and disease. I could go on and on about the conditions. It is great that Gates is using his money for situations such as this. I also like the fact that he doesn't just want to throw money at the problem but wants the governments and other agencies to help as well. For all the problems Microsoft creates in this world their money could possible eliminate some much more serious ones.

[toolman]

I read that article this morning and I thought " what a great idea". I hope Mr Gates is as successful at this as he has been at the software business. We need a go getter to get the problem analyzed and a solution rolling. There is absolutely no need for all those people to suffer when simple solutions exist in abundance. With the kind of money at the foundations disposal and the management framework they've set up, it sounds as if they will be succeeding in their efforts...whether the motive is pure or not...the end result is a good thing.

[volatilegx]

the cold-eyed supernerd who built Microsoft

I'm surprised that phrase was used on a site owned by MS

:)

[Xoc]

I have been in meetings and social occasions with Bill. In my perception, the article's portrait is accurate. He is attacking the problem exactly as if it were a software market to conquer, and he won't quit until it is won. $24 billion is enough to be effective. It's actually probably more than has been invested in research and development of software at Microsoft.

BTW, have you ever considered what Larry Ellison has given back to the world? Zilch.

The one problem I had with the article is when they called him Jr. His dad called him Trey because he is William Gates III. Dad is Jr.

[mivox]

I totally commend Gates for giving back to the world, just like I totally commended Ted Turner when he gave away 1/3 of his personal fortune to charity... It's maybe a little creepy that he sees third world health in the same way as a business problem, but I'm very impressed with his dedication and investment.

More stinky-rich people need to do the same... Ted Turner specifically called upon the US's other multi-billionaires to follow his lead when he gave away his cash. If Bill is going to manage his charity with the same cutthroat spirit as his business, maybe the other stinky-rich folks should just give their $$$ directly to him.

Doesn't mean I'm going to buy any M$ software any time soon though... ;)