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Lots of window dressing to serve up PG'a core thought: >So let's be clear about that. Ending economic inequality would mean ending startups. PG also called th

Lots of window dressing to serve up PG'a core thought: >So let's be clear about that. Ending economic inequality would mean ending startups. PG also called those who questioned Mark Zuckerberg's altruistic intentions "losers." In reference to Altman's bewilderment at the criticism of Zuckerberg's donation to his LLC. I have tremendous respect for PG on startup related manners, but in terms of making a better society, I prefer those that study this sort of thing for a living.

gkop 11y ago
The philanthropy point is not to be missed. The perception of Silicon Valley super rich people by the rest of the USA is that they are more stingy with their wealth than respected entrepreneurs in other industries. SV super rich are perceived to punt forever: "If I invest my $100M rather than donate it, then I can grow it to $500M and donate half of that, $250M! See, everybody wins." But then they never do end up actually donating the money (except for Marc Benioff, who "gets it", and who I don't believe would write such an out of touch article as Graham's). So the SV super rich wind up resented by the public and then run PR like this article.
- ghufran_syed 11y ago
  Like bill gates you mean?
  - gkop 11y ago
    I was being precise with "Silicon Valley". Just as SV is the undisputed world leader in VC, it also has earned a unique reputation for lack of "tithing".
- supercanuck 11y ago
  I think it has more to do with the "I built Facebook" and therefore I am capable of solving "world hunger", when there are people out there who dedicate their lives to the the task but lack resources. It is incredibly arrogant, in my opinion.
  - gkop 11y ago
    Indeed. PG's audience is start up people, so his message here is in part "You shouldn't feel bad about pursuing or having massive wealth". Of course this message is true. But it should probably be accompanied by a message like "But don't be an asshole, give a large amount of your massive wealth away to noble causes".

gkop 11y ago

The philanthropy point is not to be missed. The perception of Silicon Valley super rich people by the rest of the USA is that they are more stingy with their wealth than respected entrepreneurs in other industries. SV super rich are perceived to punt forever: "If I invest my $100M rather than donate it, then I can grow it to $500M and donate half of that, $250M! See, everybody wins." But then they never do end up actually donating the money (except for Marc Benioff, who "gets it", and who I don't believe would write such an out of touch article as Graham's). So the SV super rich wind up resented by the public and then run PR like this article.

ghufran_syed 11y ago
Like bill gates you mean?
- gkop 11y ago
  I was being precise with "Silicon Valley". Just as SV is the undisputed world leader in VC, it also has earned a unique reputation for lack of "tithing".
supercanuck 11y ago
I think it has more to do with the "I built Facebook" and therefore I am capable of solving "world hunger", when there are people out there who dedicate their lives to the the task but lack resources. It is incredibly arrogant, in my opinion.
- gkop 11y ago
  Indeed. PG's audience is start up people, so his message here is in part "You shouldn't feel bad about pursuing or having massive wealth". Of course this message is true. But it should probably be accompanied by a message like "But don't be an asshole, give a large amount of your massive wealth away to noble causes".