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Must be some American specialty. At the end, Bill Gates sees Philanthropy as (part of a) solution. This must have something to do with the US-American history a
by PythonicAlpha 12y ago
Must be some American specialty. At the end, Bill Gates sees Philanthropy as (part of a) solution. This must have something to do with the US-American history and background? I heard that opinion so often and we are in deed in an era of big philanthropists (like Bill himself). But I (no American, and maybe missing some genetics for it) can not see any solution in it. The biggest philanthropists today are in the US, but also the US is one of the countries, where inequality rises fastest. So, by this viewing alone, there must rise some doubts about it.
Also, you could compare philanthropy with the "foreign aid" that western countries give to poorer ones for decades now. Did it help? In many cases, it made things worse, because the money did not help the people to help themselves, but made them addicted to the aid.
The point is also that philanthropy -- as it might silence the own conscience -- is often the overflow of the overflow. We give, because we have more than we need and than we give what we need least. But what people really need, is not somebody that throws pennies in your hat, so you can buy some old bread -- but what they really need, are equal chances -- to be able to visit the same universities, to have the same jobs and to earn the same money as other people with the same talents.
You might argue: But Bill also fought his way from "rags to riches" -- no, that is not right. Bill already was born in a well being family and visiting visited Harvard College. With such a background, it is much easier to come from rich to riches, as if you come from Uganda slums (or even Harlem).
- JoeAltmaier 12y agoPhilanthropy is many things. It includes emergency aid, which by no means makes people addicted to aid. It includes schools and scholarships which are doing what you ask - leveling the opportunities. Where philanthropy fails is when its not matched to cultures. Building schools for girls in countries that won't tolerate that - they get closed soon after you leave. Or educating local doctors, who immediately leave the country for a better job in America. But what can philanthropists do? You can't make people change to suit your goals.
- PythonicAlpha 12y agoI don't say, that philanthropy is bad. What I mean: Philanthropy does not help, when the reasons of poverty are not removed. Biggest philanthropy will not help, when it is the result of extreme redistribution of money. The philanthropy of the monks in the middle ages did not help, because the monks where part of the system of inequality, where few owned all and the rest had to live on .... sometimes philanthropy.
- josefresco 12y agoThe difference between Gates' wealth now and where he began as a "rich kid" is mind numbingly huge making what he started with almost insignificant. Yes Gates had a "head start" as many in this world do, but that only got him so far. I would also argue that Gates is really a bad (business/financial) example all around due to his massive wealth which really has no comparison.
- PythonicAlpha 12y agoGates is a bad example, but many come up with such examples. The difference between what he owns now and than is not as huge as the difference between somebody whose parents could afford Harvard and somebody who is raised in Harlem, because he has not the same starting condition. There is a saying: The first million (billion, 100k, ...) is the most difficult one.