Valleywag
The legendary site in England where the Nazis' communication code was finally broken, Bletchley Park, has hit hard times. The land is being eyed by developers eager to build on the spot situated perfectly between Oxford and Cambridge. Among possible funders who turned the opportunity down was the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation — reportedly because it wasn't "Internet related."
Never mind the contributions of such scientists as Alan Turing to computing and cryptography, two rather key elements in the development of the Internet. Still, if that's a stipulation of the foundation for funding, it only makes clear how Bill Gates and company are using the nonprofit to invest in Microsoft's strategies by other means — and putting ex-Microsoft executives out to pasture there, rather than hiring experienced philanthropists. (Photo by Marcin Wichary)
Comments
What a shame... Can't Paul Allen or Woz - the geek kings - step in?
This is just sad! Why wasn't Bletchley Park given national monument/sanctuary status long ago?
I'd buy it id I could..
According to wikipedia, "the primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and, in the United States, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology."
I think there are better places for charities to spend money than to preserve historical buildings. I'm not saying it should be redeveloped, just that there are more appropriate ways to protect it, like state and federal Registers of Historic Places.
So, England doesn't want to take care of it themselves and you knock Bill Gates for not footing the bill?
Maybe Steve Jobs can dig into his black turtleneck budget for the month and slip them a few million.
Staying mission-aligned is one of the hardest things a foundation has to do. The Gates Foundation not helping Bletchley Park because it's not aligned with their mission is actually a sign that they *do* have experienced philanthropists at the helm, rather than shoot-from-the-hip checkbook grantwriters.
@kfury: @edosan: Then why didn't the foundation say that?
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