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Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

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Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#261

Post by RugnirViking »

rusk wrote: post #253
mborch wrote: post #247

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 peti…

You think lower middle class have employees?

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#262

Post by rusk »

RugnirViking wrote: post #261
rusk wrote: post #253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 peti…

You think lower middle class have employees?

Depends on how you define the term. But Bill's background was certainly neither.

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#263

Post by legulere »

elmar wrote: post #57
dopamean wrote: post #32

Pledging to give away so much of your wealth has interesting side benefits. You get to keep your money out of the hands of the government and if you're donating to your own charity then you also get to keep your family in control of the money. I definitely don't mean to diminish the contribution of the Gates Foundation though. I often hear that they're one of the good ones.

probably the money is more wisely spent by the private institution than the government.

Governments usually are just as competent or incompetent as private companies. The difference is that governments work transparently and are held accountable. We just don't see all the incompetent things happening in companies.

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#264

Post by prawn »

adim86 wrote: post #259
jk2323 wrote: post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"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?

They might be suggesting that fewer people competing for resources in Africa could mean fewer people fleeing to Europe and agitating some there who resent the arrivals.

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#265

Post by rtx »

prawn wrote: post #264
adim86 wrote: post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you mean?

They might be suggesting that fewer people competing for resources in Africa could mean fewer people fleeing to Europe and agitating some there who resent the arrivals.

And they would be wrong. Focusing on governance will be more beneficial. Africa has enough resources.

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#266

Post by rtx »

rtpg wrote: post #256
nodesocket wrote: post #201

Earlier 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…

Resource allocation is at the base of all our problems. And capitalism has been the best solution so far.

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#267

Post by gjm11 »

jk2323 wrote: post #238
braydenm wrote: post #68

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…

"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 should improve contraception instead.

Yeah. Perhaps he should imitate this charitable foundation run by a billionaire tech guy that's doing exactly that: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Developmen...

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#268

Post by gjm11 »

ta23231 wrote: post #184
cutler wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not necessarily. Depends who you cked over along the way, including your workers. Not saying this applies to Bill, though.

You missed the 90's I see. The guy is a ruthless, greedy arsehole.

There's a good argument that he was in the 1990s. That doesn't mean he is one now. People change.

But let's suppose for a moment that he was one, and he hasn't changed, and he still is a terrible person underneath. Does that make the people who would have got malaria but didn't because of the Gates Foundation's efforts any sicker?

Or, contrariwise, consider some area where it turns out that the work of the Gates Foundation has done harm as well as good. Education seems like it might be an example. Let's suppose that in fact Gates is a total saint, motivated by nothing but pure benevolence. Does that make someone whose education was worsened by the foundation's activities any better educated?

I find I don't really care very much whether Gates is a good person, for any particular definition of "good". I care about the effects of what he does. Maybe he's giving his money away to make himself look good, or for a bet, or because he hopes it will placate an angry Microsoft-hating god, or something. Who cares? What matters is what actually happens as a result of his giving that money away.

On the whole, that's looking pretty good.

Re: Gates Makes Largest Donation Since 2000 with $4.6B Pledge

#269

Post by SmellyGeekBoy »

kareldonk wrote: post #170

When you've hoarded so much cash and denied others a better life, it's easy to 'donate' like this.

Just to give the counter-argument, he has also created a lot of (technical, well paid) jobs for a lot of people all over the world over the years.
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