Time's Persons of the Year

Posted by Deanna Zandt at 9:20 AM on December 19, 2005.

Bono, Bill and Melinda: good causes, poor products. Does it make a difference in our consumerism?

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Well, it's better certainly better than Dubya making last year's Time cover, isn't it? Bill + Melinda Gates and Bono have been named Persons of the Year by Time Magazine for their work on saving Africa, since most of the rest of the world has kinda forgotten about that particular continent.

Most people I've read this morning are sort of nodding and saying they seems like good choices, noting some disdain for the commercial products the people represent. Which brings up an interesting dilemma in our particular era of consumerism, I think... what do we float as acceptable products or behavior when faced with the pros and cons? How do we weigh it all out?

The Gates are by far the most philanthropic couple around. I learned from the Wal-Mart movie that they gave nearly 60% of their wealth to charitable causes one year, and their foundation is top-notch for working on issues such as the digital divide. Yet the business tactics that have brought in that crazy wealth remain questionable: remember the browser wars? And the intimidating contracts with PC manufacturers? Oh, yeah, and the fact that a lot of the software they make leaves so much to be desired?

U2's music over the years has been criticized for its pop-ease, for almost refusing to break the new ground the band was known for in the '80s. They sell their brand relentlessly and profit wildly for it; Bono says that he's using his pop cachét and cash for the forces of good in his work in Africa. The abandonment of one set of principles (righteous rock goodness?) for another... not to mention the questionable enlistment of evangelicals in the fight against AIDS.

Gawker notes that it probably wasn't wise of Time, though, to dis Mother Nature as the Force of the year: "If the tsunami, the earthquakes, and Katrina weren't quite enough to put Nature over the top in 2005, we hate to think what she's now planning for next year."

Deanna Zandt is a contributing editor at AlterNet, and manages Start Making Sense.

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Aargh! [Report this comment] Posted by: mmeetoilenoir on Dec 19, 2005 10:19 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] How about we "...don't weigh it all out", and just say congrats with no freaking self-righteous back-patting? We're supposed to be reaching out with progressive ideas of acceptance, compassion, and tolerance, but our voices just HAVE to be tinged with judgement. Enough, already. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Aargh! Posted by: BlueBlood/RedState Isn't it MELINDA Gates? [Report this comment] Posted by: hbw on Dec 19, 2005 11:24 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Just asking. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Isn't it MELINDA Gates? Posted by: Deanna Zandt Yes, it is Melinda [Report this comment] Posted by: bmaas1 on Dec 19, 2005 1:59 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I'm sure nobody is perfect, however, these people are doing a lot and will continue to over their life time. I would celebrate all the good. If you're going to slam them, at least get the name right. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Yes, it is Melinda Posted by: Deanna Zandt not- so Rich [Report this comment] Posted by: not- so Rich on Dec 20, 2005 6:33 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Please. This is what we want the capitalists to do ,isn't it? Put their money to good use by helping people? U2 started off in the kitchen of an Irish flat with nothing. Bill Gates always said that he would eventually give most of his money away. Questionable business practices and products at Microsoft? Absolutely. But now he's doing good with it. As far as U2's music-- how about artistic freedom and the right of people to buy what they want? What do the Stones do with their money? I mean, come on. These are great choices, that show how people can change for the better. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Blah-Blah of the Year [Report this comment] Posted by: independent1 on Dec 21, 2005 6:37 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] First, we might better worry about the phenomenon of "superficial perceptions" which is used by Time and by such organizations as the U.S. Congress to dupe our superficially aware population into accepting just about any travesty or outrage. While our attention is diverted by obligatory holiday matters, Congress, for instance, typically slips in last-minute raises and benefits for it's members. This year, they're trying to slip drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the defense bill. Time Magazine typically puts up intentionally questionable choices for XXXXX of the year awards. Next: The idea that people should be held responsible for their misdeeds is a good one. But in the case of the Gates family, the law protects the criminal corporate official because of a long-ago Supreme Court clerical error which makes companies "entities" which are really shields for corporate crooks. The Supreme Court should be forced to recant any decision based on errors. Also, the real answer to all of the above is to better educate the consumer and make them (us) more aware of what products we should "vote against" with our purchasing power. The Windows computer operating system would never have become dominant if consumers were properly educated in the area of computers. Instead, home computers became a fad, like CB radios in the 1970s, and everyone "had to have one." Buying value in products is the same as supporting moral principles; when you buy the better product you support the more honest company. Spending money can be fun, spending it wisely can be even more fun. Try to think of your product research as out smarting the corporate hucksters and slimeballs. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] How to avoid supporting billionaire crooks [Report this comment] Posted by: independent1 on Dec 21, 2005 6:53 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I forgot a major tip on how to avoid bad products (which are usually sold by crooked people through their crooked companies)-->> Always, always pay close attention to how much advertising is applied to selling any product. The more heavily advertised a product is, the more likely that there are hidden flaws and shoddy quality in it. Investigation is really your most valuable tool when considering any major purchase. Check with a librarian, check with Underwriters Labs, Consumers Union and bring up the product in conversations you have with friends, family and anyone who may have knowledge of that product. Google it, for God's sake! That is, of course, unless you prefer to support some shyter weasel on his way to becoming a billionaire. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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