Not everyone can win the life lottery and throw massive sums of money at a problem. Don't get me wrong, throwing massive sums of money at a problem can work (it can also be a massive waste of money), and that's not to downplay the generosity and charity Notch is displaying by making such a large donation. But let's be honest here; 99% of people can't make that kind of effort. Not everyone can win the life lottery. Their frustration is born from reality; we don't live in a society where problems can be solved without massive sums of money, and that leaves a lot of people feeling impotent and voiceless.

And a large donation is not actually progress. It is a means, not an end. Things can and do change over time, but although Notch's donation is significant for one person, you have to consider that it's a drop in the bucket when you look at the truly staggering amount of money that corporations have tied up in software patents. I doubt very much they will go down without a fight, and they can match Notch dollar for dollar without breaking a sweat.

So, in short; here's hoping things change even just a little bit, but the status quo really doesn't change that easily, and throwing money at a problem only works when the problem isn't already weight down with massive stacks of dollar bills.

Are you saying Notch isn't super excellent dude?
Because I'm pretty sure Notch is super excellent dude.

I'm not totally sure what you're responding to but I admit to reading this announcement with more than a little pessimism.

As someone who's been involved in this to various degrees since Burn All GIFs, I don't think it's "the world can't change", but maybe "throwing money at it, which we've been trying for 20 years, isn't what's going to change it."