I have been struck again and again by how important measurement is to improving the human condition.

If we [Microsoft Corporation] weren't still hiring great people and pushing ahead at full speed, it would be easy to fall behind and become a mediocre company. Fear should guide you, but it should be latent. I have some latent fear. I consider failure on a regular basis.

Long-term vision and product strategy.

We need to look at less obvious paths, things like the wind in the jet stream, which is very high up. The material science of what type of kite string you would need to connect up to that. That's still at the basic research level.

Anything you do, you better enjoy it for its value. Because people are going to second-guess everything you do.

I studied every thing but never topped.... But today the toppers of the best universities are my employees

It's an experiment, and it's probably good to have a couple states try it out to see before you make that national policy.