Geek Tested:

Leave Bill and Melinda Gates Alone!

Posted 10/02/09 at 08:30:48 AM by Paul Lilly

Not to worry, Bill and Melinda didn't shave their heads, and to the best of our knowledge, neither one of them had a mental breakdown. And we're not going to post a viral video, though we do sympathize with Bill Gates being the tech industry's biggest loser on Forbes' annual list of the 400 wealthiest Americans.

According to Forbes, Gates will have to get by with a net worth now valued at just $50 billion. Sure, he's still the wealthiest American on the list for the 16th year in a row, but he's also down $7 billion from last year. No other tech mogul lost as much, and the thought of Gates and Co. dining on lobster thermidor with gold plated silverware instead of platinum is just too much.

All tallied, the 400 wealthiest Americans fell by $300 billion since last year. Paul Allen (No. 17) and Steve Ballmer (No. 14) lost $4.5 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, while Michael Dell (N9. 13) is down $2.8 billion

Grab a box of tissues and view the full list here.

Image Credit: independent.co.uk

COMMENTS:10

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Lobster Thermador? - Get Real
Submitted by Raspop on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 4:29pm

My first post here at MaximumPC, so hello everyone.

Bill Gates may be the richest guy in America, but he gives back in various forms of charity and created jobs.

The bottom line is that there is now less funding available for scholarships, grants to encourage scientific discoveries, research on how to bring wealth to the poor, finding a cure for life threatening diseases...

If Lilly's aim is to disparage rich and greedy people, there are better choices.

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Bill & company will be alright
Submitted by Black Lable 69 on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 2:26pm

To say that he has that much loot go lane & is still among the living is an achievement onto itself. After all, money is just a means to an end "In his case a lot" but once you pass on, all those numbers mean nothing to you. But all things happen for a reason, including this terrible recession. Whether you believe its spiritual or the works of some "Elite" secret society shouldn't matter. To me as long as the mans happy & doesn't see his offspring "Microsoft" cascade into flames then he can pass beyond the vail in peace when the time comes.

"There's no shame in liking a company or a person for its achievements, its no different than a celebrity or record company. In the end, to each his own & whatever floats your boat mon ami"

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aww
Submitted by Trooper_One on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:02am

Poor Bill....

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Good Guy
Submitted by maniacm0nk3y on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 9:09am

Bill Gates is the only rich individual that actually does something with his money instead of hoarding it all to himself. He helps people out instead of buying the 16th car..etc.

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seriously what is with the
Submitted by nekollx on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 7:58am

seriously what is with the Gates bashing? Andhere ithought this would be a article on...oh...I dunno...the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

------------------------------
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Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.

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I agree. Stop with the Gates
Submitted by I Jedi on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 12:56pm

I agree. Stop with the Gates bashing. It's not like the man stood outside and announced to the whole world that he wouldn't be able to enjoy eating rare lobsters on golden plates because of the 7 billion net loss.

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This article is actually
Submitted by Xylogeist on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 6:31am

This article is actually outdated. Bill Gates is now the Nr 1 wealthiest man in the world. Valued at 40 Billion, and Warran buffet and Carlos Slim just dropped to 38 and 37 billion. Go bill Gates! Show sam Walton you aren't done yet! I mis Bill... Hes getting old... I wish I could meet him.

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Meeting Bill
Submitted by adamjy12345 on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 8:59am

*I wish I could meet him.*

Who wouldn't want to meet him he might just send you home with a very nice car or some pocket money ($3 million)

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I agree, Bill is a guy
Submitted by Caboose on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 8:46am

I agree, Bill is a guy that I'd like to meet. ANd not to throw a pie in his face, punch him or hurt him. But to actually meet the guy and have a conversation with him!

-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-

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As a bonus!
Submitted by 1337Goose on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 1:45pm

He picked Ballmer to succeed him... good choice... makes Mr. Gates look like even more of a saint.

~Goose

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