Shanghaiist: Seattle Times interview with Bill Gates 2.0, full-time philanthropist

booggerg

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:54:56 +0800

money: Look up "idiot" in Webster's Dictionary and next to it would be a picture of you. I kid you not. Try it! How do you think the money can be used on infrastructure projects in African countries with corrupt officials without any officials' involvement or their handling of the aid money? You live in a dream world. If curcial elements such as food aid can't get to the needy people because of politics in the region, how do you suppose infastructure can get there?

Fuzi

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:32:28 +0800

Gates and his wife, Melinda, have put an incredible amount of resources, both money and time, into worthwhile causes around the globe. Their efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of many people who would otherwise have been without. Regardless of how one may feel about Microsoft and its ubiquity, I have to admire the Gates' and their goals.

moneyinabox

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:09:07 +0800

I never said anything about giving the money to any particular leader or government in Africa, but thanks for making that assumption anyway everybody. I realize that thinking the entire continent is corrupt and hopeless fits your nice, neat little worldview, but unfortunately that is not the case. Look at China. While it pillages Africa for resources, the majority of its remittance comes in the form of infrastructure projects wholly managed by China. With Gates' pull and money, he could be doing much the same thing, but alot better. But you're right shangpudi, Africans don't deserve to survive, nor should their inherent corruption be magnified eh booggerg? You are both fucking tools and should be ashamed of yourselves.

booggerg

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:31:07 +0800

moneyinabox: great idea! feed the corruption there with even more money. Awesome! why didn't I think of that?

shangpudi

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:49:48 +0800

for an intelligent guy like gates, i'm sure he has planned out his tactic on improving the world. i'm also sure he has read a book or two on darwinism. in the end, it's survival of the fittest. you can work hard to put fish on the dinner table every night or you can teach those around the dinner table to fish.

nanheyangrouchuan

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:15:16 +0800

Just dumping money into Africa just means that rulers, their friends and family will get alot richer. Good charity work also means making sure the money actually benefits the people it is intended for.

moneyinabox

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:29:51 +0800

Gates should be spending the majority of his money helping to build infrastructure in Africa before the continent is left behind for good. He spreads his money around a little too much, he should concentrate on fewer causes to maximize the impact.

xroads

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:16:15 +0800

This is a classic example of just how little reporters understand about the beat they cover. Sure, there are legitimate questions about Gates and his ability to divert the attention of those looking for funding, but you obviously won't find those legitimate questions in this column. Seattle Times just looks really bad through this. They had an excellent opportunity to either highlight what he was doing through some softballs, or hammer away through some pointed questions... this was just a waste of their time