One thing I don’t understand is why both of these billionaires has named virtually every philanthropically effort after themselves by themselves while they were alive. It used to be the case that philanthropy was appreciated to be anonymous, or at least not outright ego boosters. It’s not that these billionaires would be forgotten if they didn’t insisted slapping their names on everything they funded. They are as it is massively ingrained in annals of humankind. If I was a billionaire and starting institute of cancer, for example, I would name it after unsung heros of the field who did not had billion dollars and sacrificed their entire lives without making buck only to benefit people, like, Faber Institute after Sydney Faber.
The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
21–30 of 145 posts
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#22One thing I don’t understand is why both of these billionaires has named virtually every philanthropically effort after themselves by themselves while they were alive. It used to be the case that philanthropy was appreciated to be anonymous, or at least not outright ego boosters. It’s not that these billionaires would be forgotten if they didn’t insisted slapping their names on everything they funded. They are as it…
“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#23One thing I don’t understand is why both of these billionaires has named virtually every philanthropically effort after themselves by themselves while they were alive. It used to be the case that philanthropy was appreciated to be anonymous, or at least not outright ego boosters. It’s not that these billionaires would be forgotten if they didn’t insisted slapping their names on everything they funded. They are as it…
Many people fear of being forgotten. Who cares what the name of the institute is if it helps people?
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#24One thing I don’t understand is why both of these billionaires has named virtually every philanthropically effort after themselves by themselves while they were alive. It used to be the case that philanthropy was appreciated to be anonymous, or at least not outright ego boosters. It’s not that these billionaires would be forgotten if they didn’t insisted slapping their names on everything they funded. They are as it…
It the same with universities and their donors. Donors essentially give millions to get a building or college named after them. For example, at the University of Texas, the business school is named after McCombs, someone who didn't even finish graduating. And the med school is named after Dell, another dropout.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#25> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything. I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800 ), and I…
It’s off-topic, but such a great question you asked. My view is that its “horses for courses”as they say in the UK. Some people will optimize for high income because that’s what makes them happy - and may be helped by a predisposition for high focus. Other people will optimize for a life in which they cultivate many interests because that makes them happier than staying focused and earning a lot of money.
For what it’s worth, I started out in a high focus, high income career (law) but quickly realized the level of focus required left me feeling a little bored with life. So I reworked things, did a masters in environmental economics and now have what I’d call a portfolio career in which I can do a variety of things, allows me to travel a little and satisfies the curiosity itch. Which if unscratched - I realise - makes me feel unhappy. However, this does give rise to an inner tension. I live in a culture which associates money with status. I’m not rich like my old law school friends, and I feel lower status for that. Because I am (probably like most people) not unaware of status, I get some negative cognitive feedback from my choices, but on balance feel it’s better for me that I pursue a diverse livelihood than get rich and bored.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#26"not really a team player, for some reason didn't want to be screwed by stock reappropriation when he was recovering from cancer."
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#27> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything. I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800 ), and I…
I think the most important thing to optimize for is time. Move closer to work, get a roomba, buy a second monitor, etc. For me anything I can do to get extra time is a huge payoff because I'd rather spend my time learning something new, cooking, traveling, or cycling/running.
I recently switched jobs and am moving next month to reduce my commute. I'll have an extra 7 hours a week to do whatever I want and I cannot wait.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#28One thing I don’t understand is why both of these billionaires has named virtually every philanthropically effort after themselves by themselves while they were alive. It used to be the case that philanthropy was appreciated to be anonymous, or at least not outright ego boosters. It’s not that these billionaires would be forgotten if they didn’t insisted slapping their names on everything they funded. They are as it…
What do you mean used to be, how far back do you want to go?
What about the Nobel Prizes they were established in 1895.
What about Rockefeller and Carnegie?
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#29> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything. I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800 ), and I…
As someone who has been very laser focused in life I often feel the opposite of you. I finished university, did my PhD, and now have a job doing research in the area of my PhD. I've been working 60-80 hour weeks for the past 10 years. I do some small activities on the side, so life isn't monotonous, but I don't invest in anything nearly as much as I do my work. I often wonder if I'm missing out on life by not committ…
It can be very tough to get ahead in science/academia without that laser focus, unfortunately.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#30Remember when Gates and Ballmer tried to screw Allen out of his shares because his productivity had gone down due to cancer?
https://www.cnet.com/news/paul-allen-gates-ballmer-tried-to-...