Wednesday, January 1, 2014

"You, being a liberal, think you can change people more than I think."

"Robert W. Wilson, the hedge fund founder who committed suicide at age 87 over the weekend, was known as one of the most active philanthropists in the country. But his style of giving was radically opposed to that of Bill Gates, who asked Wilson to join his Giving Pledge for the ultra-rich — and was rebuffed in a series of caustic emails."
But let me make one comment. When I [Wilson] talk to young people who seem destined for great success, I tell them to forget about charities and giving. Concentrate on your family and getting rich—which I found very hard work. I personally and the world at large are very glad you were more interested in computer software than the underprivileged when you were young. And don’t forget that those who don’t make money never become philanthropists.

When rich people reach 50 and are beginning to slow down is the time to begin engaging them in philanthropy.

I’d greatly appreciate just leaving it at that.
Emails Reveal Deceased Hedge Fund Manager Refused To Join Bill Gates’ "Worthless" Giving Pledge

3 comments:

sakredkow said...

Very interesting! He apparently gave his money away in 100m chunks.

"He gave the last $100 million of his money to not-for-profit environmental advocacy group the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)...
Other beneficiaries of Wilson’s money include the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the World Monuments Fund, the Nature Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Society, each of which received $100 million before Wilson passed away."

ricpic said...

Terminal boredom set in at 85 so he threw in the towel.

bagoh20 said...

One man working hard and taking risks will improve the lives of more people than a hundred deeply concerned and compassionate people who "don't care about making money."