Whether you are a hero or villain is more a matter of perception and whom you ask. In the past Microsoft under Bill Gates did many things which people considered as evil and damaging, and some were even illegal and they were convicted for it.
Now, instead of doing more businees or investing in new technologies to better the world, like Elon Musk for example, Bill Gates invests his money and time into wellfare-projects. This of course give the impression that he wanna cleans himself from the past sins. Whether it's true is a different case, but the impression is simply there.
> investing in new technologies to better the world, like Elon Musk for example
But the thing is, Gates is like Musk, he's investing in new technologies too. The two of them have different priorities, though. Musk is focusing on ensuring humanity's long-term survival, Gates is focusing on saving lives and reducing suffering now. They're much more alike than it would seem if you classify them as "Musk - tech, Gates - welfare".
Yes, but Gates is focusing on developments that delivers instant fame, with things which seems to be outside his original expertise. And he even is using his name for it, instead of supporting it anonymous. This support the impression that he is doing this things for fame, less for the result.
> Now, instead of doing more businees or investing in new technologies to better the world, like Elon Musk for example, Bill Gates invests his money and time into wellfare-projects.
I would suggest that the Gates Foundation is doing more to better the world than Musk.
Now, instead of doing more businees or investing in new technologies to better the world, like Elon Musk for example, Bill Gates invests his money and time into wellfare-projects. This of course give the impression that he wanna cleans himself from the past sins. Whether it's true is a different case, but the impression is simply there.