Yesterday, May 3, 2006, Bill Gates gave an interview to Donny Deutsch of CNBC during a Microsoft-sponsored event.  During the interview, Gates explained what it’s like to be the richest person in the world.  “I’m not bothered when I’m out in public or anything. Someone might ask for a signature, rarely, but that’s not a difficult thing.” However, Gates did express a little reluctance about his status: “I wish I wasn’t [the richest in the world]. There’s nothing good that comes out of that. You get more visibility as a result of it.” They were honest answers and certainly understandable from someone who has had to endure sharp criticism and derision for much of his professional career.

Personally, I don’t think Gates gets enough credit.  His charitable organization, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is the world’s second richest philanthropic organization with an estimated worth of more than $29 billion; that’s billion: 29 followed by 9 zeroes.  Recently Gates’ foundation announced a technological breakthrough that will produce the synthetic drug needed to treat malaria, cheaply.  It is expected that a life-savings dose of the drug will be produced for 25 cents within the next five years, thanks to the foundation.  In 2004, they reached their goal of providing internet access and training in libraries in every state and the District of Columbia.  They’re also heavily involved in childhood vaccination programs and HIV/AIDS research.

My only recommendation to Mr. Gates would be to follow the lead of Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, and have a little fun.  Allen owns three of the world’s 100 largest yachts, including the thrid largest, Octopus, a 414 foot behemoth aboard which Allen often hosts parties that include famous guests like George Lucas and Jeff Goldblum. He is also an owner of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers and the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, and is the founder of Seattle’s Experience Music Project - not bad for a college dropout.

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
Eleanor Roosevelt