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The Heart of Geekness Will Save Us All

Nerds grasp large-scale human suffering much better, Wired says

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 1, 2007 5:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Why is Bill Gates, “practically a social cripple,” going to save the world? Because of numbers, says Clive Thompson in Wired. More than most, the Microsoft maverick -- who spearheads tireless crusades against poverty and AIDS -- can comprehend large quantities, while research... Read full story »

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(NEWSER) - Forbes will unveil its 2011 billionaires list tomorrow, and Bill Gates will certainly make an appearance, reports Reuters . But it turns out the longtime richest guy in the world fell to No. 2 last year not because of Microsoft's waning fortunes, but because he literally gave away the title. "It wouldn't be a competition," says a wealth expert. "(Gates) would have a comfortable margin if he had never discovered philanthropy." More»

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(NEWSER) - A bunch of billionaires have signed up for Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ “ Giving Pledge ,” promising to give away half or more of their money to charity. Sounds great, right? Not to Ron Rosenbaum of Slate . “I think I can speak for the rest of the world when I say: Dudes, the ‘pledge’ is nice and all, but show us the money if you want the credit,” he writes, declaring the promise a “nebulous never-never-land pledge.” More»

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(NEWSER) - The recession took a bite out of charitable giving last year, but some very wealthy, very generous people kept their checkbooks open. Slate delivers its annual list of the 60 biggest donors in the country, who together came up with $4.2 billion in new commitments to charity last year. The top four: More»

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The Heart of Geekness Will Save Us All

Nerds grasp large-scale human suffering much better, Wired says

philanthropy • Bill Gates • aid • psychology • Paul Slovic • Decision Research • numeracy • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

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Bill Gates Even Gave Away Richest-Guy Title

'Forbes' list wouldn't be a contest if he hadn't discovered philanthropy

Billionaires' 'Giving Pledge' Not Good Enough

But here's a way to fix it

Paul Allen Will Give Away Billions

Microsoft co-founder commits most of his fortune to philanthropy

Gates, Buffett to Super Rich: Give Half of It Away

Details of the secret billionaires meeting revealed

America's Top Philanthropists

Annual list tracks most generous of 2009; Bill and Melinda Gates are 3rd

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