Paul Allen has died • Hacker News Board

Re: Paul Allen has died

#151

Post by tinkerteller » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 12:57 AM UTC

Yes, Paul Allen, the great philanthropist, lived understated lifestyle. Unlike other billionaires who live extraordinary exuberant lifestyles and spend only fraction of their wealth on science and humanity, he did all of these:

- private massive rock concerts for himself

- half billion $ yacht with sub and music studio

- buying up sports teams to stroke his ego

- slapping his own name all over instead of people who did actual work

- buying pointless momentas at outrageous auction bids

- keeping an array of private jets

- building massive private properties for himself all over the world

R.I.P another billionaire who used his lottery money on the right stuff and only little on pointless ego enhancement.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#152

Post by culturestate » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 12:58 AM UTC

ad_hominem wrote: post #150

It doesn't detract from his greatness but I didn't like his hypocrisy in giving millions to gun control initiatives while personally owning a Panzer tank, SCUD missile launcher, MiG fighter jet, etc.

You can support gun control without supporting total suppression; even Japan, with some of the world’s strictest gun control laws, still lets you buy one if you qualify.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#153

Post by MrStonedOne » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:03 AM UTC

tinkerteller wrote: post #151

Yes, Paul Allen, the great philanthropist, lived understated lifestyle. Unlike other billionaires who live extraordinary exuberant lifestyles and spend only fraction of their wealth on science and humanity, he did all of these: - private massive rock concerts for himself - half billion $ yacht with sub and music studio - buying up sports teams to stroke his ego - slapping his own name all over instead of people who d…

Oh how adorable.

I hope one day when you look at somebody so loved and adored by all around him you are able to push past the hate and envy and be happy for them.

Until then please keep your negativity to yourself.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#154

Post by smsm42 » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:06 AM UTC

culturestate wrote: post #152

ad_hominem wrote: post #150

It doesn't detract from his greatness but I didn't like his hypocrisy in giving millions to gun control initiatives while personally owning a Panzer tank, SCUD missile launcher, MiG fighter jet, etc.

You can support gun control without supporting total suppression; even Japan, with some of the world’s strictest gun control laws, still lets you buy one if you qualify.

And to qualify, you usually have to be extremely rich and well-connected, thus enforcing the idea that there are two sets of laws - one for hoi polloi and one for the exalted elite. I think it's better when there's just one, and your rights do not depend on who you know.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#155

Post by tempestn » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:07 AM UTC

grumblez wrote: post #38

pcurve wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow can your condition go south that quickly?

Absolutely. A month ago my step father was given 6-12 months. 11 days ago he passed away.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#156

Post by micah94 » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:10 AM UTC

rwc wrote: post #149

It's shocking to me that even now, hours after the announcement, Microsoft.com is completely bereft of mentioning the news. I know Paul Allen's impact at MS isn't akin to Bill Gates in popular culture, but it seems soulless to make no effort whatsoever.

There's a large banner of him there now.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#157

Post by mikeyouse » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:11 AM UTC

ad_hominem wrote: post #150

It doesn't detract from his greatness but I didn't like his hypocrisy in giving millions to gun control initiatives while personally owning a Panzer tank, SCUD missile launcher, MiG fighter jet, etc.

That's silly. None of those things were in working (fighting) condition. You can be a war historian and think that private ownership of war implements is a bad idea.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#158

Post by lucaslee » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:11 AM UTC

Whenever I see sad news like this, that a great person dies too early, it reminds me that life is too precious and I am lucky to have more time to do something meaningful. Take care of your body and do something that really matters. RIP

Re: Paul Allen has died

#159

Post by micah94 » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:13 AM UTC

msie wrote: post #39

Wow, so disappointing that his wealth didn't help him this time. Was hopeful that one of these experimental treatments we keep on hearing about would prove fruitful.

...helped him 9 years ago. But cancer came back.

Re: Paul Allen has died

#160

Post by 0x8BADF00D » Tue, Oct 16, 2018, 1:13 AM UTC

6nf wrote: post #43

pcurve wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow can your condition go south that quickly?

My uncle went to the dentist complaining of bit of bleeding in his gums. The dentist immediately sent him to get blood tests done and the next day he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Three days later he passed away.

Similar thing happened to my father. He was flossing and his gums wouldn’t stop bleeding. Long story short he went to the hospital and was intubated due to breathing difficulties.

His cancer had been in remission, but unfortunately it evolved into a much more aggressive form of plasma cell leukemia. He passed away within that week.