In a recent interview with the BBC, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates questioned the philanthropic priorities of fellow billionaire Elon Musk. Gates specifically took issue with Musk’s ambition to colonize Mars, arguing that it is not a good use of money.
“It’s actually quite expensive to go to Mars,” Gates said. “You can buy measles vaccines and save lives for a thousand dollars per life saved.”
Gates went on to say that he believes Musk is a “genius” and that he has “done some great things” with Tesla, but that he is not yet a philanthropist in the traditional sense.
“I think someday he will join the rank of philanthropists using his ingenuity,” Gates said.
Musk’s space exploration venture, SpaceX, is spending heavily on developing spacecraft and rockets in the hope of one day sending humans to Mars. Musk has said that he believes colonizing Mars is essential to the long-term survival of humanity.
However, Gates argues that there are more pressing issues to address on Earth, such as poverty and disease. He also points out that the technology to colonize Mars is still in its early stages, and that it is likely to be many years before it is possible to send a large number of people to the red planet.
Gates and Musk have frequently feuded over the years, but this is the first time that Gates has publicly questioned Musk’s philanthropic priorities. It remains to be seen whether Musk will take Gates’ advice to heart, but it is clear that the two billionaires have very different views on the best way to use their wealth.
Summary:
Bill Gates says that Elon Musk’s plan to colonize Mars is not a good use of money. Instead, Gates believes that Musk should focus on more pressing issues on Earth, such as poverty and disease. Musk has not yet responded to Gates’ comments.
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