[QatzelOk]

Bill Gates - one of the world's richest people - controls assets of about 68 billion dollars. This is a lot of capital, and places Bill Gates in a position to exercise a great deal of influence over the affairs of other people.

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Is this an ideal situation? Or would it be a lot better if that fortune was distributed among the population?

Is it a good thing that Bill Gates controls all that money? Is it for the best that such a wise man controls so much of the earth's resources?

Or would it be better if all that capital was in more hands? Would it be better if all that power was deconcentrated?

[Attila The Nun]

Other, such a fact by itself is neutral.

[Rancid]

Other, it's neither good or bad

[Dan]

Other.

It is good that a man has the economic freedom to own that much. Whether Bill Gates as an individual does or does not have that much money is irrelevant.

Is it for the best that such a wise man controls so much of the earth's resources?

$58 Billion/$65 trillion = 0.09%

He doesn't own all that much of the world's wealth. He owns less about .09% of the world's wealth.

[Abood]

One man owning 0.09% is quite a lot, considering there are 6 billion people.

[NYYS]

Bill Gates gives a lot to charity, and it's likely that if that money was distributed among the population it a) wouldn't make a difference and b) wouldn't be given to charity and targeted at those who need it.

I vote good for this specific case, although in a general sense it's pretty much neutral.

[Rancid]

One man owning 0.09% is quite a lot, considering there are 6 billion people.

Boo HOo cry cry

[Abood]

Why would I cry, RWR? I was simply stating that even though 0.09% does not seem like a lot, it sure is when we take into account that there are 6 billion people on this planet.

[Rancid]

Why would I cry, RWR? I was simply stating that even though 0.09% does not seem like a lot, it sure is when we take into account that there are 6 billion people on this planet.

dunno, i'm just being a dick.

[Nets]

So basically, Qatz is jealous of Bill Gates.

Anyways, him having it doesn't bother me, I think he earned it. Office 2007 is a godsend and Bill Gates does a lot good work. He's giving away a big chunk the wealth anyway to a lot of good causes, so .

He actually came to speak at my school cause he donated a big ass building on campus, unfortunately I had to miss it.

I think it should also be noted that most of his wealth is tied up in stock and the like, its not like he's hoarding land or something of that sort, he's enjoying capital he pretty much created along with others through Microsoft. Microsoft has undeniably in my view made life easier and better, so I have no problem with this. Those fuckers at Apple on the other hand....

I voted other; I don't think its a bad thing, but it certainly isn't good for everyone -- that would be if I had $58 bn.

[Attica]

Other, such a fact by itself is neutral.

[NoRapture]

Just so he's not buying beer with it.

[jaakko]

It would be better if the money was in more hands, but even more better if it was in my hands. Should I vote the second or the third option?

[QatzelOk]

So basically, Qatz is jealous of Bill Gates.

Of course.

Why else would someone start a thread about power concentrations if he wasn't green with jealousy? I mean, everyone on TV and in movies wants to be rich like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

Or maybe I am trying to see what the people on the board think of extreme power concentrations.

Iran can't have a nuke, but Bill Gates gets billions of dollars to screw around with.

Nets, is the US jealous of Iran?

[Dr House]

Yeah, it would be an awesome idea to take all the money Mr. Gates rightfully made from providing us with the ability to communicate with each other and give it to poor people.

Unless of course that only amounted to ten bucks per person.

You never cease to amuse me, Qatz.

[Abood]

Mr. Gates rightfully made from providing us with the ability to communicate with each other

Bill Gates didn't invent the internet. It was Al Gore.

[ThereBeDragons]

Unless of course that only amounted to ten bucks per person.

That's water for some, food for others.

[Dr House]

That's water for some, food for others.

...once, never to be repeated again. Unless of course we have Bill Gates keep working and taking all his earnings for the common good.

That's why I think economic growth is a better alternative to redistribution.

[Mazhi]

A more important question: If Bill Gates hadn't taken that LSD in his youth, would he be where he is now?

[Dr House]

I've no idea, but whatever got him there we should be thankful for it, because we are communicating right now thanks to him.