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Comment by keithpeter | Hacker News Reader

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keithpeter·

"Student question. What advice to someone like me to become someone like you?"

"Gates: I didn’t start out with dream of being super-rich."

Is it the transcription or has Mr Gates interpreted the phrase "someone like you" in a very narrow way?

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I was there and although the transcription does take some paraphrasing at points, this is a direct quote. It leaves out that before this the student said something like: "Before I ask my question I want to tell a little story: When I was growing up my parents and friends always asked me what I wanted to be and I would tell them I wanted to be the richest person in the world. Now you are here speaking to me so if A=B and B=C then A=C. Do you have any advice so that I can become someone like you"

I assure you the A=B... part is not a random addition by me, she actually said this but I could not tell what it was based off of.

Really besides a few questions from students that I felt were a little off topic, Mr. Gate's presentation was really fascinating and I am more than glad that I was able to attend.

Thanks very much for clarification, and yes, the student who asked the question therefore set the context for the reply. Sounds like a good event!

If A = B and B = C then A = C is an example of a transitive relationship in Maths.

I think she is saying if I want to be B, and B is Bill Gates, then I want to be Bill Gates, therefore the question "how can I become like you, Mr. Gates?"

That makes a lot of sense, now that I think about it. Thanks

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