
Following the death this week of Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen at the age of 65, Bill Gates has written a moving tribute to business partner and friend in The Wall Street Journal.
Gates said he met Allen when he was in 7th grade and it changed his life forever. He reflects on sneaking off with Allen to tinker with computers. “It sounds geeky, and it was, but it was also a formative experience, and I’m not sure I would have had the courage to do it without Paul,” said Gates.
He also remembers the moment that Allen came to him in 1974 and Microsoft was born.
“One day he came and got me, insisting that I rush over to a nearby newsstand with him. When we arrived, he showed me the cover of the January issue of Popular Electronics. It featured a new computer called the Altair 8800, which ran on a powerful new chip. Paul looked at me and said: ‘This is happening without us!’ That moment marked the end of my college career and the beginning of our new company, Microsoft.”
He remembers fondly Allen’s ability to explain complex ideas in simple terms, his musical talent, and his generosity.
“His generosity was as wide-ranging as his interests. In our hometown of Seattle, Paul helped fund homeless shelters, brain research, and arts education.
“He also built the amazing Museum of Pop Culture, which houses some of his huge collection of music, science fiction, and movie memorabilia,” writes Gates, who is himself a famous philanthropist.
He concluded: “Paul deserved more time in life. He would have made the most of it. I will miss him tremendously.”
Vocabulary highlight
1. Tribute /ˈtrɪbjut/ (noun): Something that you say, write, or give that shows your respect and admiration for someone, especially on a formal occasion: Vật tri ân.
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2. Sneak off /ˈsnik ɔf/ (phrasal verb): Leave furtively and stealthily: Lẻn đi, trốn đi.
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3. Tinker /ˈtɪŋkər/ (verb): To make small changes to something, especially in an attempt to repair or improve it: Chắp vá.
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4. Geeky /ˈgiki/ (adj): Boring and not fashionable: Chán vào không hợp thời.
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5. Formative /ˈfɔrmətɪv/ (adj): Relating to the time when someone or something is starting to develop in character: Nền tảng.
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6. House /ˈhaʊə/ (verb): To give a person or animal a place to live, or to provide space for something: Cất giữ, cung cấp nơi nghỉ ngơi tạm thời.
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7. Memorabilia /ˌmɛmərəˈbiljə/ (noun): Objects that are collected because they are connected with a person or event that is thought to be very interesting: Kỷ vật.
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8. Philanthropist /fəˈlænθrəpəst/ (noun): A person who helps the poor, especially by giving them money: Nhà hảo tâm, nhà từ thiện.
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9. Made the most of /meɪk ðə moʊst ʌv / (idiom): To make something appear as good as possible: Mang lại hiệu quả.
10. Tremendously /trəˈmɛndəsli/ (adv): To a very great amount or level, or extremely well: Rất nhiều, cực kỳ nhiều, nhiều vô kể.
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Người dịch: Phương Thảo
Nguồn: Business Insider
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