Although there are many cynics, it's quite remarkable the impact on the world donations can have. Here's what their foundation has actually been doing with the money: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/Resources-and-Med... I wouldn't be surprised if private donations will eventually be responsible for the eradication of Malaria (1000 deaths daily, much more suffering and cost to society). If you're in tech yo…
As much as like the new way of distributing wealth in this manner, some of the foundations Christians fundamentals worry me. For example - https://www.gatesfoundation.org/how-we-work/quick-links/gran... I tried looking for similar grants to religious services organizations from other religions, but my search came up empty. Very happy to stand corrected on this.
Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
251–260 of 301 posts
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#252Earlier quoted context omitted.
Its important to understand, when anyone says "cure cancer", they are saying cure 100+ (mostly) unique diseases. $20Bn is not even close, try around 200Bn and 50+ years of research. Maybe we will get lucky and find an amazing immuno-oncology drug that takes out half of them in the next 20 years, but I wouldn't bet on it.
I see it a bit differently, if you can figure out both all of the functional relationships in our bodies and devise a mechanism to precisely drive any and all of them, not only will you 'cure cancer' but you will be able to cure any other disease or ailment that is expressed as an undesirable functioning of that system. I don't know if you can do that with $20B but I feel these days that its more likely to occur rath…
> I don't know if you can do that with $20B
You can't.
The NIH budget is ~$30B/year and we don't know the basic mechanism of action for many of the drugs we currently rely on to treat disease. It turns out biochemistry is pretty complicated.
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#253Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sorry to nit-pick, but I didn't know the exact definition of 'petit bourgeoisie' and Google says it's actually lower middle class: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=petit+bourgeoisie&oq=petit...
It most certainly isn't. The Wikipedia article has an accurate description. Google pulls a wrong definition for some reason.
The petite bourgeoisie is economically distinct from the proletariat and the lumpenproletariat social-class strata who rely entirely on the sale of their labor-power for survival; and also are distinct from the capitalist class haute bourgeoisie (high bourgeoisie) who own the means of production, and thus can buy the labor-power of the proletariat and lumpenproletariat to work the means of production. Though the petite bourgeoisie can buy the labor of others, they typically work alongside their employees, unlike the haute bourgeoisie.
I think "lower middle-class" is a reasonable apropos of this. That said, I don't think the Gateses would fit this definition either ...
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#254Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't want to 'take it back.' But, I feel donations should not be tax deductible. Why should I subsidize anything someone feels is worth donating for?
How is not taking his money subsidizing him? Tax credits would be subsidizing him.
Sorry for my ignorance but is this merely a technical distinction? I would have thought tax-credits, and non-deduction are effectively equivalent?
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#255Earlier quoted context omitted.
it's capitalism at is best you start a company in your garage take it to be worth Bilions an then give it all away, doesn't get better than this.
I don't think you can really conflate capitalism with philanthropy like that. They're just... different things. "Capitalism at it's best" isn't people giving away money... it's people being competitively compensated for their contributions to society-- the ability to take risks and reap the rewards. Of course then you can argue that tax is a way to enforce a minimal amount of philanthropy onto people, forcing them to…
*it's people being competitively compensated for their contributions to society*
Capitalism isn't so much the emergent market behaviour as a system that provides a means to create and develop wealth (i.e. capital). The labour market is one aspect of this, but it's not exclusively tied to it.
*Capitalism is an economic system and an ideology based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.*
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#256Although there are many cynics, it's quite remarkable the impact on the world donations can have. Here's what their foundation has actually been doing with the money: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/Resources-and-Med... I wouldn't be surprised if private donations will eventually be responsible for the eradication of Malaria (1000 deaths daily, much more suffering and cost to society). If you're in tech yo…
I think Buffett and Gates proved that despite what the media or anti-capitalists say, the top 1% are able to have the biggest impact. Somebody who donates a million (while a great contribution), will never have the impact that a billionaire can. Buffett took tremendous flack and there was very public outcry before he started donating. His rationale was that I'll just stack it up, and his late ex-wife Susie would dist…
The core problem is that society has to rely on the whims of these people to solve problems.
In an alternative universe we tax people more and ensure malaria eradication _whether or not Bill Gates personally decides to do so_.
There are obviously coordination problems (not saying that "government can solve everything!", there are difficulties there too). But having huge organizations ask for donations from people is a really ineffective way of solving most societal problems.
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#257Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Everything I've read indicates Gates takes his philanthropy very, very seriously The problem is that he controls that narrative.
What alternative do you propose?
Remembering the tons of materials telling you otherwise from various unrelated sources + your experience with them in general ?
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#258Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think Buffett and Gates proved that despite what the media or anti-capitalists say, the top 1% are able to have the biggest impact. Somebody who donates a million (while a great contribution), will never have the impact that a billionaire can. Buffett took tremendous flack and there was very public outcry before he started donating. His rationale was that I'll just stack it up, and his late ex-wife Susie would dist…
The core problem is that society has to rely on the whims of these people to solve problems. In an alternative universe we tax people more and ensure malaria eradication _whether or not Bill Gates personally decides to do so_. There are obviously coordination problems (not saying that "government can solve everything!", there are difficulties there too). But having huge organizations ask for donations from people is…
Your alternative cannot exist simply because the problem that exist isn't the billionaire but politicians and the governments they run. Gates and his type are able to have the effect they do because being individuals they don't run into problems of the state, there is no threat of imperialism or such. They are also able to do because they live under a government which respects private property rights, whether to self, land, money, or goods.
Government theoretically could solve everything but it requires good government to do so. The first step is what I stated above, respect for private property rights. If people cannot be assured their product of their work is theirs to use you cannot improve the society they live in. They must be able to trust their government.
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#259Although there are many cynics, it's quite remarkable the impact on the world donations can have. Here's what their foundation has actually been doing with the money: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/Resources-and-Med... I wouldn't be surprised if private donations will eventually be responsible for the eradication of Malaria (1000 deaths daily, much more suffering and cost to society). If you're in tech yo…
"I wouldn't be surprised if private donations will eventually be responsible for the eradication of Malaria (1000 deaths daily, much more suffering and cost to society)." He should improve contraception instead. Would be better for the Africans AND Europeans.
What do you mean?
Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge
#260Although there are many cynics, it's quite remarkable the impact on the world donations can have. Here's what their foundation has actually been doing with the money: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are/Resources-and-Med... I wouldn't be surprised if private donations will eventually be responsible for the eradication of Malaria (1000 deaths daily, much more suffering and cost to society). If you're in tech yo…
"I wouldn't be surprised if private donations will eventually be responsible for the eradication of Malaria (1000 deaths daily, much more suffering and cost to society)." He should improve contraception instead. Would be better for the Africans AND Europeans.
He really shouldn't do anything. Given it's his wealth, if he wants to focus on Malaria, then he should focus on Malaria.
Be happy he's trying to do something at all. That's more than what most wealthy families do.