Fall from Grace ?

Gates must be cautious. While his achievements will continue to endorse him, a tainted image causes more harm than good !

Sharad’s Sunday Sojourns (week # 475 | 23rd May 2021):

“Human well-being is not a random phenomenon. It depends on many factors — ranging from genetics and neurobiology to sociology and economics. But, clearly, there are scientific truths to be known about how we can flourish in this world. Wherever we can have an impact on the well-being of others, questions of morality apply.” … Sam Harris.

Despite the allegations and the media scrutiny, Bill Gates will be perpetually endorsed by his corporate, financial and philanthropic accomplishments. However, nobody wants a corrupted legacy! (Image source: Gala / Getty Images)

There are two perspectives here, broadly.

First, the voluntary separation of one of the most iconic couples of the past few decades.

Second, the background which could have influenced this decision.

On the first, I really smell no fish here!

Since marriage is an institution, and a couple who think that they are not happy anymore, whatsoever the circumstances are, have all the rights in the world to reach and effect an amicable dissolution.

Only justly, in this case, the extraordinary financial implications could not be disregarded.

On the second, who am I to judge a personal character? And how does it matter?

The point is, it’s not straightforward.

Celebrities are celebrities … and then there is Bill Gates! I mean, leave alone this last decade or so, if there was ever one sure shot answer to any quiz question that even marginally alluded to the richest soul on a global scale, we almost had that on our tongue-tip, didn’t we?

The Gates’ Family. It is now evident that behind all these smiles, there were concealed tears and unweathered clouds. Deeds speak for themselves, one must say, but does that account for things taken for granted? (Image source: DNAIndia)

And vastly, on that front, even the murkiest supporter of Gates would admire the talent, the tenacity and the phenomenal business wisdom (or was it ingenuity?) behind the success that is Microsoft.

And then came the allegations.

One might proclaim, how on Earth does it matter how I keep my friend circle, or my behaviour on a public dais? It’s true.

But when you are consistently on the public radar, the problem is that you are scrutinised consistently, sometimes rationally, often superficially. While you can’t spurt the ‘hullabaloo’, you can’t escape the insinuations either!

Let’s look at two distinct aspects, which have thrown the spotlight back on him, albeit in a gloomy way.

The Jeffrey Epstein saga tainted Bill’s image consistently on the public media coverage, although Bill had reportedly denied any serious intimacy with the deceased offender. Course actions differ, however, on that front.

But more so, the seemingly recurrent allegations of Bill’s ‘dubious’ (politely put) strategy to ‘approach’ women within the subset of work culture, is what is making everyone uncomfortable.

The only credible surviving image of Gates with Jeffrey Epstein (in the middle), the convicted sex offender, who took his own life in prison. While you don’t ‘choose’ always who do you mingle with, you never know who is really hiding behind that shining armour! (Image source: The New York Times)

One of my colleagues was shocked in her assertion: “How on Earth such a jolly good image get busted in the cacophony of ‘same old school goon’ theorem, as William?”

No prize for guessing the ‘same old school goon’ theorem!

But yes, it is so eerily analogous, the concomitant appearance of Bill Gates with accomplishment, wealth, corporate acumen, and yes, philanthropy, that it is difficult to fathom such ‘inconsistencies’ appearing now almost on a regular basis.

If it was not for Bill Gates and the scale of the couple’s philanthropic efforts globally, probably the media would by now initiated a comparison with similar ‘offenders’ in other ‘publicly traded platforms’!

Despite every scandal that rocks his way, the worldwide philanthropic contributions have made the Gates Foundation one of the (if not the) most significant source of guaranteed donations. However, even some of these have come under scrutiny, citing corporate manipulations. (Image source: Independent / Getty Images)

I personally do not think that there is 100% truth in all these accusations thrown at him.

We feel safe, when wealth tax is levied on the rich, and we feel horny to watch estranged wives becoming billionaires overnight, thanks to their ‘good fortunes’!

Nonetheless, one thing is certain, Bill needs to be cautious.

Corrupted image is not necessarily a 100% smudged apparel. But it’s enough to make one confront or taste the wrath of public faith.

And that is bizarrely uncomfortable, to say the least!