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These critics overestimate the impact of Ebola. Even with this current weak system, the recent Ebola outbreak has had a death toll of 7,645 as of Dec 23. A million people die every year from Malaria, and some (optimistic) estimates say that the Gates' efforts could save 5 million lives.

This seems like a classic example of our tendency to overestimate the importance of singular, cataclysmic impacts, as opposed to predictable, systemic ones.

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The whole point of the article is that Gates' efforts focus on singular diseases, as opposed to investing in healthcare infrastructure that can support predictable, systemic outbreaks of new diseases.

Then again, it's much easier for Gates to elevate his status as a philanthropist by investing in projects that can come up with sexy headlines like "we saved X million people from AIDS!"

Based on how he talks and goes about doing his philanthrophy, it doesnt seem like Gates is doing it or for that matter, need it, to elevate his status. It is best to assume positive intent in such things.

You're right, definitely best to give the benefit of the doubt.

You just missed the point. It's better to do something about millions of buildings currently on fire rather than spending more resources training emergency responders to deal with abstract events.

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