[chroma]

I thought it was quite clear that Gates was making an analogy for non-technical readers. He doesn't really think of encrypted devices that way.

Unfortunately, there's no way Gates can win here. If he uses technical language, journalists and/or readers won't understand. Or worse: they'll misunderstand his views. If he uses simplistic analogies, he invites mockery from technical readers.

[camillomiller]

Yes, but in the second case he'll win the sympathy of the laymen who will think "hey, if even bill gates says they're wrong, maybe they're wrong. The guy's a genius". These people are less vocal than tech readers, but they vastly outnumber them.

[chroma]

I doubt Gates has any hidden motive behind his statements. He's just saying something he believes to be true, while trying to make sure others understand him. Why would he care about getting sympathy from laymen? He's the richest person on the planet. He's got more important stuff to do, like sparing millions of people from disease, poverty, and hunger.

[camillomiller]

Then it's even less understandable why should he muddle the waters with an ill conceived analogy like the "ribbon around a hard drive" one.