Legal Research

bgC3 LLC

That’s the name of Bill Gates’ new think tank, according to TechFlash, a new Seattle tech blog.  “BG” obviously stands for Bill Gates, the “c” means “catalyst”, and the 3 indicates that it’s his third organization, after Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  At least that’s what a “Gates insider” says.  According to the post, bgC3 will “oversee Gates’ personal pursuit of breakthrough ideas in science and technology.”

Now I may have been (cough) slightly critical of Microsoft over the years, but I do admire what Gates is doing with his second life.  Not the stupid virtual world (sorry, but that’s how I feel) but his life after Microsoft.  I remember reading an article in Wired almost 3 years ago comparing people’s perceptions of Gates (”cutthroat capitalist”) with that of Steve Jobs (”an artist driven to make a dent in the universe”).  Those perceptions miss the mark, however:

“In fact, the reality is reversed.  It’s Gates who’s making a dent in the universe, and Jobs who’s taking on the role of single-minded capitalist, seemingly oblivious to the broader needs of society.  Gates is giving away his fortune with the same gusto he spent acquiring it, throwing billions of dollars at solving global health problems.  He has also spoken out on major policy issues, for example, by opposing proposals to cut back the inheritance tax.  In contrast, Jobs does not appear on any charitable contribution lists of note.  And Jobs has said nary a word on behalf of important social issues, reserving his talents of persuasion for selling Apple products.”

Maybe I need to lighten up on Bill.

Full post as published by Jenkins Webblits on October 23, 2008 (boomark / email).