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I'm way over 30 and I've always had a positive view of Gates. That's largely because I don't view business competition as a gentlemen's duel. It really is cutth
by silverlake 13y ago
I'm way over 30 and I've always had a positive view of Gates. That's largely because I don't view business competition as a gentlemen's duel. It really is cutthroat as hell. In my early 20s I found the strategy docs for my mega-tech corp on an insecure network drive. Spent the weekend learning about how companies really compete: backroom deals, legal maneuvers, strange contracts, and even political pressure. Very few companies can be the Ghandi of the Fortune 500.
Everytime Gates is mentioned on HN we get the exact same 200 comments detailing his alleged crimes. Gates bought a cow? Sure, but he killed Netscape. Gates built an AIDS research center? Sure, but he added the Office ribbon. Can't we all calm the fuck down and just appreciate 1 rich dude trying to do some good his own way?
- gadders 13y agoI remember reading about one of the robber barons in the gilded age - a Rockefeller or similar - and it was along the lines of (forgive any misquoting): "People always commented that although he was a ruthless businessman, how kind and considerate he was in his private life. But isn't that the same as most sportsmen? They are determined to win when competing in their sport, but once off the field are not expected to be the same."
- absconditus 13y agoThe difference is the impact that corporations have on the world.