Bill Gates' extreme makeover

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Two thoughts. One, image is everything, and companies and governments will do everything in their power to spin things to their advantage, whether that means being truthful or not (Our present U.S. administration seems to have worked this into an artform).

Second, I'd have a hard time naming anyone who I'd consider a good journalist these days. They all seem to be more interested in playing to whatever the public sentiment is on any given day, unless they can make a big splash by going against the grain. Why? Because it sells.

And that is what this is all about. In general, the press isn't in a holy war against Microsoft; they are out to sell, and they will do whatever it takes to do that. Incite hatred of Microsoft? Sure, why not, if it generates clicks or sells advertising. What Microsoft is really doing is sort of irrelevent. Is Windows better than Linux? Doesn't matter. Is Windows full of bugs and security holes? Doesn't matter. The whole point is to bring it up in such a way that revs up the readers and brings them back for more.

And really, would anyone, regardless of if you're a zillionaire or just getting by writing code here and there, want to go out in public if reporters are going to start every interview with something to the effect of "Well, your software stinks, and everyone hates you. So, with that as a backdrop........"

Regards Gates in particular. Does anyone really know what the guy is like? Can anyone outside of his closest circle of friends really know? What we see is what we're allowed to see, and how the press interprets it. Maybe he's an arrogant dweeb; maybe he's just your typical reasonably bright, although not brilliant, introvert who happened to be in the right place at the right time and is now paying the price while becoming wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. Because of his position, everything he does is scrutinized, and he reasonably has to be concerned about the safety of himself, and his wife and family. I'll be honest; I don't think it's worth being worth 50 billion dollars if it means you have to live behind walls of security systems, can't go out in public, and having to be worried about some Windows-hating lunatic trying to harm my family.

So, is there some "extreme makeover" going on with Gates, or are we just seeing more of what he's really like? Who knows? More importantly, who cares?

Posted by: rgafron@...   Posted on: 01/14/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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