4 ms·

I agree that the marketing thing is in horrible bad taste, and the non-apology lame, but I've always disliked it when people have an opinion about where, or how

by latch 16y ago

I agree that the marketing thing is in horrible bad taste, and the non-apology lame, but I've always disliked it when people have an opinion about where, or how much money others should donate. Trying to put aside the circus they've created around it, what's it to you if they donate $0, or $100000, or $10000000? How much of a companies revenue should a company donate for this? How much should an individual? Who should decide? Who's business is it? Given that you find the amount the most offensive thing, I take it you are also offended by the billion of companies and individuals who have donated nothing? How much have you donated? How much should I?

middus 16y ago
I agree with the parent poster and would like to add that I think it's great that bing donated a $100k today and it does not seem stingy at all to me. Moreover, I doubt that this is the only thing Microsoft does with regard to crisis response. The link from the original tweet illustrates this.
GiraffeNecktie 16y ago
I don't think it's a big deal, just a hastily conceived idea that someone should have reworked a bit before releasing into the wild. But yeah it is offensive, when the dust hasn't settled and people are trapped in buildings, to try and cash in on the "opportunity" with a message that said, in effect, "Hey everyone look how we're generous we are and if you spread the message about how generous Microsoft is (by retweeting this message) we'll donate an entire dollar (up to the level of the salary of a low level flunky at our company)." I think if Bill was still running things, he'd have a) made a bigger donation and b) wouldn't come across as trying to exploit the situation. It's perfectly fine for a company to seek recognition for it's contribution to the public good, but if it's not handled well, it can come across as a crass and cynical exploitation. If they had just tweeted "Hey Microsoft is donating $100,000 to Japan relief, here's how you can do the same http:\\bit.ly\xxxx" they may have gotten more retweets, and certainly a lot more respect.

by latch 16y ago

middus 16y ago

I agree with the parent poster and would like to add that I think it's great that bing donated a $100k today and it does not seem stingy at all to me. Moreover, I doubt that this is the only thing Microsoft does with regard to crisis response. The link from the original tweet illustrates this.

GiraffeNecktie 16y ago

I don't think it's a big deal, just a hastily conceived idea that someone should have reworked a bit before releasing into the wild. But yeah it is offensive, when the dust hasn't settled and people are trapped in buildings, to try and cash in on the "opportunity" with a message that said, in effect, "Hey everyone look how we're generous we are and if you spread the message about how generous Microsoft is (by retweeting this message) we'll donate an entire dollar (up to the level of the salary of a low level flunky at our company)." I think if Bill was still running things, he'd have a) made a bigger donation and b) wouldn't come across as trying to exploit the situation. It's perfectly fine for a company to seek recognition for it's contribution to the public good, but if it's not handled well, it can come across as a crass and cynical exploitation. If they had just tweeted "Hey Microsoft is donating $100,000 to Japan relief, here's how you can do the same http:\\bit.ly\xxxx" they may have gotten more retweets, and certainly a lot more respect.