Bill Gates not a philanthropist?

[gertsy]

My god, the cynicism in this thread. As someone who works in global health, I can tell you that the claims made here range from wildly inaccurate to utterly delusional.

I had just ignored the tripe until now.
It's a psychological global constant Gates=Evil tall poppy, therefore any stories about him doing good must be wrong, or I am wrong. How could I be wrong?. Must prove gates is evil. Don't need any real evidence just social science and whammo. I'm safe and secure in my warm bubble of what's wrong with the world.

Nice coming from a pseudo charity such as Amiga org.

[gertsy]

Wow and Gates caused all this?

I think people often forget they ARE society.
"be the change you wish to see in the world"
Don't tell other people to. Except when telling others not to tell others not to tell others...  Ohh no recursive loop......

[gertsy]

I think most people are blissfully ignorant of the evil that western civilisation imposes on the rest of the world to supply the things that make our lifestyle what it is.

Ignorance is a choice IMNSHO.

Thus the importance that we all take responsibility for our impact on the world and try to leave it in a better place by the time we leave. Philanthropy is the way to do that, in a considered and developmental way. Sponsoring agri projects and medical initiatives. Just like Bill Gates has.

Look at the amount of money Gates and Microsoft has pumped into the EU and the third world (Spain) through forced donations to corrupt bureaucracy.

[gertsy]

A better place?
Naive.
Has Bill Gates and his monopoly REALLY made this world a better place?
Not from my point of view.
Certainly not in relation to the costs imposed in making Gates the richest man on the planet.

Confused.
So you don't think it's a good idea to try to leave the world in a better place?
And you don't think philanthropy is a way to achieve that?
And then you accuse me of nativity by drawing on the assertion that Gates can't be a Philanthropist because of his business exploits in the "first world"

No, I don't think my comments are naive at all. I think they consider a world view beyond the confines and limitations of a western view.

 I actually find your personal accusation insulting.

[gertsy]

I don't fear it, I just revile it. It's hard to laugh as people randomly blow up innocents and schoolkids.
But either way, posting links to pro-terrorism videos is in very poor taste.

A perfect fit for this thread then. As I think Mike was suggesting. I resisted clicking on the video. My choice you see.

[gertsy]

Go go gadget thread closer!