Bill Gates' Concerns

Last week while attending a conference on the Microsoft campus in leafy Redmond, Wash., I had to opportunity to listen to Bill Gates respond to questions from journalist Donnie Deutsch. I was surprised and encouraged by what I heard.

At one point during a wide ranging interview, Deutsch asked the Microsoft co-founder whether he had particular concerns about the world, about his company, about the state of the high-tech industry. Gates' answer was a hesitant yes. Then he launched into an explanation of how he wished the country would take a long-term perspective to issues that it faces.

The topics Gates singled out included the need to strengthen education and support the nation's scientific agenda. Then this captain of the technology industry mentioned global warming, the warming of the Earth's atmosphere brought on by the increase of carbon dioxide and other gases in the air. The country needs a framework for building a consensus on how to make sacrifices for the future benefit of its children, he suggested.

Will the Internet help encourage that dialogue? asked Deutsch. The answer is not clear, answered Gates. There is a danger it preserves the status quo.

Let's hope not.