Last month, the esteemed Mr. Bill Gates published his first memoir, "Source Code: My Beginnings." Out of curiosity for this great figure, I bought a physical copy and recently finished reading it.
This book does not recount the glorious years of Microsoft but tells a story of transformation—from a rebellious teenager to a person who reshaped the entire computer industry. This means the book mainly focuses on the author's youth. In this, I would like to highlight two periods: Bill Gates playing cards with his grandmother and his six years at Lakeside School.
1. Insights from the Card Table#
The book mentions that young Bill Gates often played cards with his grandmother, especially games that required strategy and calculation, such as Gin Rummy and Seven Card Stud. This not only cultivated his interest in logical thinking but also taught him how to remain calm and focused in competition. His grandmother's wisdom and humor deeply influenced him; she often taught Gates how to analyze his opponents' strategies at the card table and made him understand that failure is just part of learning. Gates reflected that playing cards taught him: "No matter how complex or mysterious some things seem, we can usually figure them out in the end. This world can be understood." This belief has run through his life, from unraveling the mysteries of card games to solving technical problems, and these early interactions laid the foundation for the resilience and creativity he would need in the tech field later on. Through these warm memories, Gates presents a very personal view of how family shaped him, making me feel the emotional support behind his success that often goes unnoticed.
2. The Beginning of Computer Exposure#
The six years at Lakeside School were a crucial phase in Gates' life. The book details his experience of first encountering computers in 1968 when the school connected to a General Electric mainframe via a Teletype terminal. Gates recalls that he and his friend Paul Allen's obsession with programming was almost instantaneous. They spent countless hours exploring the BASIC language and even secretly hacked the system to gain more computer time. The school's educational philosophy was that high-level teachers had enough confidence to give students space to explore, even if it meant breaking conventional boundaries. This environment allowed Gates to fully explore the potential of computers, and he candidly admits that this period made him realize that computers are not just machines but tools that can change the world. He wrote in the book, "On a cold day in December 1974, Paul Allen showed me the latest issue of Popular Electronics magazine, and we saw a picture of the Altair 8800, knowing this was our chance to turn our vision of personal computing into reality." This experience directly led to the birth of Microsoft and made me deeply appreciate how curiosity and opportunity can lay the groundwork for a person's future from a young age.
Reflection#
After finishing "Source Code: My Beginnings," I gained a deeper understanding of Gates' growth journey. He is not only a technological genius but also someone who draws strength from family, friendship, and early education. The book is filled with reflections on the past, such as his analysis of his "rebellious" behavior at Lakeside School and how he gradually found his direction through collaboration with Paul Allen. Gates describes those key moments that shaped him with a very candid touch, allowing me to feel the genuine and nuanced side of a global leader.
For me, the most striking parts were those two experiences—playing cards with his grandmother and his time at Lakeside School—and how profoundly they influenced Gates' life. Card games taught him logical thinking and the belief in the comprehensibility of the world, while the experience of being exposed to computers in an encouraging environment ignited his passion for technology and made him realize the power of curiosity and perseverance. These foundational experiences ultimately made him the influential figure he is today. This reminds me that our early years and those who guide us can have a lasting impact on our lives and careers.