Saw an interesting article highlighted on Slashdot over on Wired. An interesting comparison of Jobs versus Gates from a Philanthropy point of view.

Warning - A lot of "Jobs is God" commentary in the comments.

http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,70072-0.html?tw

I saw the article linked from another site, but I can't see any comments. Why would anyone think "Jobs is god"? If you look at contributions to charity over time, dollar-wise, I doubt anyone could even hope to match Bill Gates.

Hehe probably because Jobs is the underdog in the fight.

http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/08/01/0421248 the first comment there pretty much sums up most people's feelings between the two.

Damn Microsoft! (Score:5, Funny)
by Geekenstein (199041) on Monday August 01, @12:09AM (#13211493)
I hate those bastards! I knew they were going to try and sneak this crap past us! They were plo...oh wait, did you say Apple?

Wow! Spectacular use of technology Steve! You're my hero!

I think it is because iPod rhymes with God.

I don't think Gates needs to a better philanthropist than anyone else. He just needs to help where he can. While he's doing that, we can forgive one or two of those hair wrenching features put into his lousy bloated software.

Most "Mac people" I've met are rabid and blind supporters of Apple. They can do no wrong. Even the various Linux/Unix geeks I know will admit to the various kernels having problems, or things that Windows does better, but the Mac-heads aren't even open that being a possibility. Apple can do no wrong and Microsoft is the Anti-Jobs.

I guess I am a bit confused, so what that article is saying is, if you have achieved the American dream of creating a product and making it successful, then you need to give away a large portion of your money made from this adventure, and do it very publicly so we know you are doing it, or you are not a "good" person?

I think it is incumbant on every person in America to support the causes they agree with, whether you give money, time, effort, talent... whatever. I dont think you need to make a public display about it though. If you support a cause, then support it for the reasons that make it right for you, in the manner that you wish.

I really don't care if Gates or Jobs donates a percentage of their money to any particular cause. Its their damned money, let them do what they want with it, publicly or privately. It shouldnt make them any less good or bad if I know what it is they are supporting or not.

Actually what the article is trying to do is stir up a little controversy. It'll happen anytime you try to do any sort of Apple vs. Microsoft article. However, in the process of doing so, I think the author brought up some very interesting (I think "valid" might be pushing it) points for consideration.

He is not saying that Gates is morally better than Jobs, but rather asking the question of why Gates is often used as the icon of corporate greed and selfishness when he and his wife are among the most charitable people in the world. Meanwhile, his fictional arch-rival is often presented as capable of doing no wrong (at least in the eyes of his Apple-followers) and always "for the people," yet Jobs seemingly has little to no charitable causes.

If you look back through the majority of America's richest moguls, you'll find that most of them did give a lot to charities. I believe it was Rockefeller who was always taught (and practiced) to tithe 20% of your earnings to charity, through good times and bad. Heck, even the current epitome of corporate evilness, Wal-Mart, has huge charities set up.

Yes, a lot of it does have to do with tax purposes, absolutely. I very much doubt you'll ever hear of a major company or billionaire "giving" themselves to death. However, keep in mind that the tax laws that give the giant corporations and billionaires breaks for donations were set up to do exactly that - encourage donations to worthy causes. This again brings up the curious question of "Why not?" - if the extra money is there, and giving some of it up will help you save more of "your money," why not give?

Again, the article isn't really saying Gates or Jobs is better than one another, but rather pointing out that the supposed "evil one" gives back to his community, while the "good one" apparently does not. It's not enough to divine whether either man is truly morally just or not, I agree, but an interesting note nonetheless. Honestly I thought that Jobs was a big philanthropist, hearing that he has virtually zero (public at least) donations surprised me. Gates did not surprise me, working at Microsoft I know the emphasis that the company placed on charity drives, community efforts, and other public works. Since I have friends in the Redmond/Seattle area, I also know of quite a few schools that have benefited directly from the Gates Foundation, so I guess it seems a little more "real" to me than just reading the $$'s donated on a page.

I guess I am a bit confused, so what that article is saying is, if you have achieved the American dream of creating a product and making it successful, then you need to give away a large portion of your money made from this adventure, and do it very publicly so we know you are doing it, or you are not a "good" person?

I think it is incumbant on every person in America to support the causes they agree with, whether you give money, time, effort, talent... whatever. I dont think you need to make a public display about it though.

I used to believe the same way...until I once went to a fund raiser for the Jewish Federation to raise money to help get Jews out of Argentina a few years back (it was getting pretty bad there). I saw people standing up giving a little speech and then saying how much they were donating. I didn't understand it, I was always of the mind that charity should be anonymous. But, the Rabbi explained it to me when I asked afterwards. They want people to say they've donated and how much, in order to let others know that people are donating, that others, besides themselves, understand the reason behind it and feel strongly about it, as well.

It builds a sense of community. Further, when you are a person so well known as Bill Gates, it brings instant awareness to the cause you've donated to.

I really don't care if Gates or Jobs donates a percentage of their money to any particular cause. Its their damned money, let them do what they want with it, publicly or privately. It shouldnt make them any less good or bad if I know what it is they are supporting or not.

They should give some portion of their money to charity...its the obligation of every person to give, within their means, to those less fortunate. In Hebrew, the word for Charity is Tzadakah. Tzadakah also means Righteousness, Justice (the word for Justice is actually Tzedek. Same root word)
.

It is obligatory, and the duty of all who are able, to give to charitable causes.