Bill Gates on tech's new antitrust era, the benefits of confusion, and his favorite shows

Weekend highlights from GeekWire ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: Become a GeekWire member: [Support independent journalism and join today!]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES It was like two old pals getting together over beers Diet Cokes. Bill Gates was [a guest on the popular podcast "Armchair Expert"]( this week, hosted by actor Dax Shepard, providing a glimpse of his more playful side. From the start, the Microsoft co-founder was clearly relaxed. He and Shepard cracked open Diet Cokes, a beverage they both love. The two discussed everything from Gates'[Netflix documentary]( to the recent Michael Jordan special to Steve Jobs, what kind of boss Gates was in his Microsoft heyday, books, family life and more. Here are a few highlights that stood out to us. Big tech's hot seat: On Congress' recent hearing with big tech CEOs, Shepard questioned criticism lobbed at Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, for example. "Is the government crushing COVID? No! If you gave COVID to Bezos I think he'd knock this thing out in three weeks," Shepard said. But Gates defended the hearing. "If you're as successful as I am or any of those people are, you deserve rude, unfair, tough questions. The government deserves to have shots at you. ... Jeff Bezos and Amazon, they have done a phenomenal job. But that type of grilling comes with the super-successful territory.” The benefits of confusion: For all of his smarts, Gates admitted that he does have "brain deficits." "I'm certainly not that great socially," he said. “I don't know how to cook. I'm very embarrassed that I don't speak any (other) languages fluently. That's super stupid. Every once in a while when I'm learning something new it does take me awhile to adapt to it and I feel like, 'God, I'm such a fraud. This is more confusing than I expected it to be.'" "I have this mindset that I'm still a student, and many people, as they become adults, leave that mindset," Gates said. "You have to be willing to be confused. Most adults, the minute they start getting confused they're like, 'Oh, this isn't for me, I'm not good at this.' You kind of have to feel good about, 'Wow, I just jumped in here and I am so confused.' " Favorite shows: Gates said he's currently watching "Parenthood," the TV series Shepard starred in. But Shepard was more surprised by the fact that Gates has seen the Brad Pitt and Robert Redford film "Spy Game" 12 times. "That's such a clever movie," Gates said of the 2001 thriller. "Amazing." His partnership with Melinda Gates: “I’m super lucky,” Gates said of his wife. “This is the most profound partnership of my life. I had a partnership with Paul Allen to found Microsoft, I had one with Steve Ballmer to turn it into an amazing company. With our Foundation, with our kids, with our marriage, I’ve got this amazing person. When she’s pushing herself too hard, I’m good at helping her see the bigger picture.” Gates said Melinda definitely has a “look” she gives him, particularly when they’re in a large meeting and he’s repeating himself. [Read more]( and [listen to the “Armchair Expert” podcast](. See all of GeekWire’s latest headlines below, and have a great weekend. — GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [Support our trail system! Contribute to the Geekwire-ALLtech “Geeks On Trails” team during the Washington Trails Association Hike-a-Thon]( GeekWire and ALLtech have once again teamed up to help raise money for the Washington Trails Association by participating in the [17th Annual Hike-A-Thon](. Whether you are walking at your local park or lacing up your boots to tackle a mountain trail, by exploring the great outdoors the WTA Hike-A-Thon gives you the opportunity to help protect the trail systems we all love. Please support our team! [Get outside, and give back]( LATEST HEADLINES [GeekWire Podcast: We tested Microsoft’s virtual fan experience at an NBA game — here’s how it works]( [A ‘playful’ Bill Gates sips Diet Coke, talks Michael Jordan, tech, TV and more on Dax Shepard podcast]( [Amazon’s Alexa hands off to Pete Carroll so the Seahawks coach can share his nuggets of wisdom]( [Geek of the Week: Furniture designer Ethan Pearl on the future office and how COVID rearranges it all]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [INRIX: Backend Developer/Analyst]( - [Icertis: Senior Software Engineer]( - [INRIX: Senior Software Development Engineer]( - [Avvo: Director of Sales Acquisition]( - [Stratify: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? BUY A FEATURED LISTING TO APPEAR HERE]( [About GeekWire]( [Contact Us]( [Advertise]( Copyright © 2020 GeekWire LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive emails from GeekWire LLC.  Our mailing address is: GeekWire LLC 123 NW 36th St, Suite 203 Seattle, WA 98107  [change email frequency or address]( | [unsubscribe](