Tuesday
Jun272006
Hurray for Buffett and Gates
June 27, 2006 at 2:45 PM
See New York Times: A $31 Billion Gift Between Friends.
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who disdain inherited wealth.
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who believe that being lucky with talent implies a responsibility to the world.
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who have dedication and fascination with their marriages and wives.
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who make big audacious proclamations and back them up with actions.
Now, there are lots of ways to criticize the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for how or to whom they are giving money. And I hear people do it all the time. But they have a plan that is based in humility: not all problems can be solved.
One could also criticize them for being ruthless business men who embraced monopoly in order to create their wealth. I could criticize Microsoft for squelching innovation. But right now I won't. I just say hurray for both these men. They deserve praise today.
They give me hope that my decision to get off the money-making corporate wheel was the right one. Numerous well intentioned people tell me that not working full-time is driving me crazy and that I should go back to a company. I know that they are kind to consider the state of my mental health. But I cannot go back to that old life simply to find mental health and consistency. If I have to suffer the emptiness of not knowing my purpose in order to find one, so be it. I have talent and I want to use it for something greater than chasing money (don't get me wrong - chasing money can be very fun). No decision Buffett has made changes his day-to-day existence but I think his decisions are now influencing mine. My resolve has been increased.
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I met Gates once and he seemed cold and calculating; not very interesting. I told a lot of jokes and he was the only one not laughing. He asked many questions.
Disclosure: I own both Microsoft (MSFT) and Berkshire Hathaway. (BRK-A)
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who disdain inherited wealth.
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who believe that being lucky with talent implies a responsibility to the world.
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who have dedication and fascination with their marriages and wives.
Hurray for Buffett and Gates who make big audacious proclamations and back them up with actions.
Now, there are lots of ways to criticize the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for how or to whom they are giving money. And I hear people do it all the time. But they have a plan that is based in humility: not all problems can be solved.
One could also criticize them for being ruthless business men who embraced monopoly in order to create their wealth. I could criticize Microsoft for squelching innovation. But right now I won't. I just say hurray for both these men. They deserve praise today.
They give me hope that my decision to get off the money-making corporate wheel was the right one. Numerous well intentioned people tell me that not working full-time is driving me crazy and that I should go back to a company. I know that they are kind to consider the state of my mental health. But I cannot go back to that old life simply to find mental health and consistency. If I have to suffer the emptiness of not knowing my purpose in order to find one, so be it. I have talent and I want to use it for something greater than chasing money (don't get me wrong - chasing money can be very fun). No decision Buffett has made changes his day-to-day existence but I think his decisions are now influencing mine. My resolve has been increased.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
I met Gates once and he seemed cold and calculating; not very interesting. I told a lot of jokes and he was the only one not laughing. He asked many questions.Disclosure: I own both Microsoft (MSFT) and Berkshire Hathaway. (BRK-A)
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