‘Billions of dollars!’
In July, our readers contacted us to defend women, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and novelist Stephen Leather and to take aim at the Olympics.
ERADICATING MALARIA
SIR — I want to note, Mr. and Mrs. Gates give literally billions of dollars to charity — billions. Billions. And your Mr. Wright says, in effect, MSFT was mean to me. Oh, poor dear doesn’t get the spoon fed PR treatment? When did real reporters need this special treatment? There were no towels in the wash room. So hot air dryers are news, or worse, punishment? It is news that a corporate is stupid about cost saving pennies? What, no criticism of the choice of carpet colours? Permatemps are not treated very well. Is this news? Really? So big business is not too kind, is competitive, play the ‘game with sharp elbows, and this is news? Billions. To. Charity. Thousands of millions of dollars. Multiples. Nearly eradicates malaria. Malaria! My question to Mr. Wright is has he ever done any, say, math? Slightly stunned, but I should not be.
— Name withheld
ONE HOLDS OUT
Re: The patent wars are screwing our future
SIR — Very good article. Only one thing I’d point out, is that not every Android device sale puts money into Microsoft’s pocket – Motorola has been a notable holdout there. Almost every sale, though.
In terms of who can step in? It would have to be an organisation at the level of WIPO or the ITU (don’t hold your breath), or perhaps the European Commission (if it’s still around) will lose patience and bash some heads together. It’s quite good at doing that, when it gets the urge.
— David Meyer
LEATHER BOUND
Re: Hell for Leather
MADAM — The perils of reporting something second hand. Whilst the antics of Mr Leather that have been dug up since Harrogate appear to be reprehensible, at the event itself he came across as a reasonably friendly person, if a little full of himself. Whilst I would agree the panel was packed, I wouldn’t have said it was tense, nor especially hostile, and the tosser quote was more sotto voce than shout. What I have learned of him since the event makes me disinclined to sample his writing, despite him being listed in the ‘people who bought your book also bought…’ list on the Amazon pages for my own books. Before Mr Duns’ revelations, and after having met the bloke, I might have been prepared to give him a try.
— James Oswald
BROKEN HEARTS
SIR — This is the biggest load of shite I’ve ever read. I feel I am now dumber having read it. Instead of at least attempting to form a coherent argument, you’ve just gone with your in-built prejudice against women to explain causaility. Did she break your heart?
— Matt Zarb-Cousin
SIR — This is kind of misogynist crap. Kernel. Milo, you’ve totally lost my respect and attention.
— Daniel Appelquist
AN EXPENSIVE BILL
Re: What ever you do, don’t mention the Olympics!
SIR — Great article! Totally agree, the requirement for them to ‘rely’ on sponsor’s money for the games to happen – the most frequently used excuse for brand-censorship – can be easily be avoided if they didn’t make the Olympics so ridiculously expensive. For the London 2012 Olympic Games; for each attending athlete (after all this is what is about?) it is costs around £900,000 – I suspect there are some cheaper options available..
— Nathan Murphy
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