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Gates: The 10 Toughest Questions We Get


dcollon

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"We are outspoken about our optimism. These days, though, optimism seems to be in short supply. The headlines are filled with awful news. Every day brings a different story of political division, violence, or natural disaster.  Despite the headlines, we see a world that’s getting better."

 

https://www.gatesnotes.com/2018-Annual-Letter?WT.mc_id=00_00_00_share_em

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"We are outspoken about our optimism. These days, though, optimism seems to be in short supply. The headlines are filled with awful news. Every day brings a different story of political division, violence, or natural disaster.  Despite the headlines, we see a world that’s getting better."

 

https://www.gatesnotes.com/2018-Annual-Letter?WT.mc_id=00_00_00_share_em

 

My basic assumption is that to first order all gains in health, lifespan and environment are a pure function of one variable: per capita GDP. And per capita GDP is basically a function of rule of law, capitalism and effective government. So I have always had problems with philanthropy because it appears to be a waste of time.

 

I'm very willing to be persuaded I'm wrong about this. Anybody have any good evidence that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has achieved anything?

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"We are outspoken about our optimism. These days, though, optimism seems to be in short supply. The headlines are filled with awful news. Every day brings a different story of political division, violence, or natural disaster.  Despite the headlines, we see a world that’s getting better."

 

https://www.gatesnotes.com/2018-Annual-Letter?WT.mc_id=00_00_00_share_em

 

My basic assumption is that to first order all gains in health, lifespan and environment are a pure function of one variable: per capita GDP. And per capita GDP is basically a function of rule of law, capitalism and effective government. So I have always had problems with philanthropy because it appears to be a waste of time.

 

I'm very willing to be persuaded I'm wrong about this. Anybody have any good evidence that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has achieved anything?

 

Just for starters. Eradication of polio....

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"We are outspoken about our optimism. These days, though, optimism seems to be in short supply. The headlines are filled with awful news. Every day brings a different story of political division, violence, or natural disaster.  Despite the headlines, we see a world that’s getting better."

 

https://www.gatesnotes.com/2018-Annual-Letter?WT.mc_id=00_00_00_share_em

 

My basic assumption is that to first order all gains in health, lifespan and environment are a pure function of one variable: per capita GDP. And per capita GDP is basically a function of rule of law, capitalism and effective government. So I have always had problems with philanthropy because it appears to be a waste of time.

 

I'm very willing to be persuaded I'm wrong about this. Anybody have any good evidence that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has achieved anything?

 

Just for starters. Eradication of polio....

 

How about an over 40% reduction in Malaria deaths in between 2000-2012? Not that the Gates Foundation can (or would) take all of the credit, but they sure contributed more than nothing.

 

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"We are outspoken about our optimism. These days, though, optimism seems to be in short supply. The headlines are filled with awful news. Every day brings a different story of political division, violence, or natural disaster.  Despite the headlines, we see a world that’s getting better."

 

https://www.gatesnotes.com/2018-Annual-Letter?WT.mc_id=00_00_00_share_em

 

My basic assumption is that to first order all gains in health, lifespan and environment are a pure function of one variable: per capita GDP. And per capita GDP is basically a function of rule of law, capitalism and effective government. So I have always had problems with philanthropy because it appears to be a waste of time.

 

I'm very willing to be persuaded I'm wrong about this. Anybody have any good evidence that the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has achieved anything?

 

WEB gave them a wad of money?

(Thin rationalle, I know, but still...)

 

---

 

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

― Albert Pike

 

or for a more sarcastic view,

 

“What would the daughters of the rich do with themselves if the poor ceased to exist?”

― Angela Carter

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