Bill Gates’ recent comments supporting ‘death panels’  have drawn public outcry.

“But that’s called a ‘Death Panel’ and we’re not supposed to have that discussion,” Gates was quoted as saying.

What is a death panel?

A death panel is a hypothetical tribunal which would decide the fate of sick patients and the relative benefits versus financial cost to sustaining one’s life.

Proponents question saving a patient whose health care costs are a million dollars.

Those supporting death panels feel this money could be used to support society – for example paying 10 teachers for a year.

And this view may actually hold some clout.

Should he be Blamed?

The irony is Gates getting pegged for covering his ass by deflecting the issue and opting out of stating an opinion – and still getting tagged to this story.

But the blogosphere prevails, we play telephone and take these quotes, twisting and weaving them to support our own views.

Why Bill?

The founder of Microsoft and modern technology may very well have a fair argument.

To dismiss him immediately in itself seems a bit irrational. But surely, this may be because he, and I in this case, are looking at the grander picture rather than pitying in selfish rhetoric.

When we look at our own lives and imagine the end would be sacrificed to fulfill the greater good, we squirm.

Obviously it is difficult to fathom that our life is worth less than anything out there – our instincts scream our importance.

I wonder whether Gates may be on to something though. He has usually always looked out for the bigger idea.

And yet, he is still dubbed callous and somewhat in a notorious light.

I wonder then whether this time the public has it wrong – that he is actually making some logical sense and that we are just very scared – very very scared of dying.

We have lost all values and nothing is more important than our own survival – until we realize we are part of something bigger, something greater; a species which relies on those who came before us to create loving generations which will come after.

What about luck?

Technocrats would try to count your life like a cent in a penny jar. And I understand the bothersome response to this.

What happens when miracle cases occur and someone escapes a coma or averts death?

This may be the fundamental point in defeating the notion of a death panel.

Human judgement will always encapsulate emotion and nepotism will triumph.

So let the natural process of life take it’s course - ultimately, I think we should stop messing with Mother Nature and refuse death panels.

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