That headline is 100% accurate, near as I know … yet it still looks incredibly dumb.
I mean here we are deep into Day 2 of coverage of a relatively remarkable (if unlikely and inconsequential) mystery: Is the world’s richest man and most famous software maker headed for a blast-off into space?
(Gates-in-Space Watch: Day 3.)
Nearly every media outlet on this planet has noted the story. And it’s a simple yes or no question – is he or isn’t he? – yet I have been unable to find any authoritative answer. (Granted, I didn’t open every one of the 1,839 results returned for “Gates” and “space” by Google News, so maybe there’s one hiding in there somewhere.)
But this morning I put this question to Microsoft’s longtime public relations arm, Waggener-Edstrom: “Is Bill Gates seriously considering a trip into space, as suggested in countless news reports yesterday and today? Has he said anything about the matter?”
Just got this reply from a Wag-Edder: “I have connected with my colleagues here and I’m afraid that we are unable to participate in this opportunity at this time. Microsoft makes it a practice to not comment on rumors or speculation. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
No need to apologize, as I am not inconvenienced in the least. Perplexed? Yes. I mean while it is certainly true that we are, in essence, talking about “rumors or speculation” here, they are rumors and speculation of the first order.
And, yes, I fully realize that chances are that Gates has no such plans.
But, until somebody squeezes an answer out of him – or his company – I’m going to continue envisioning Bill Gates in one of those space suits waving to the cameras.
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