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He is just trying to save /more/ children in Africa. http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704017904575409193790337162.html http://online.wsj

He is just trying to save /more/ children in Africa. http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704017904575409193790337162.html http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704... Larry Ellison is a saint! ... and an asshole.

Timothee 16y ago
The letter he wrote for the Giving Pledge website actually shows a bit of him being a saint and an asshole: http://givingpledge.org/#larry_ellison http://givingpledge.org/#larry_ellison To whom it may concern, Many years ago, I put virtually all of my assets into a trust with the intent of giving away at least 95% of my wealth to charitable causes. I have already given hundreds of millions of dollars to medical research and education, and I will give billions more over time. Until now, I have done this giving quietly – because I have long believed that charitable giving is a personal and private matter. So why am I going public now? Warren Buffett personally asked me to write this letter because he said I would be “setting an example” and “influencing others” to give. I hope he’s right. Larry Ellison On one hand, he is giving a lot, on the other, you can tell he couldn't care less about the pledge and the letter.
- SoftwareMaven 16y ago
  My take on the letter is that he really doesn't like Buffet trying to push him around. I can understand wanting to give quietly; that is how I would prefer to give.
- bhiggins 16y ago
  That's actually pretty rad.
- MartinCron 16y ago
  This letter increased my admiration of the man greatly.
- iambvk 16y ago
  I wonder how much did google give away till now...
  - sovande 16y ago
    Think "Google Summer of Code" for starters..
  - micrypt 16y ago
    "In 2004, when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wrote to prospective shareholders about their vision for the company, they outlined a commitment to contribute significant resources, including 1% of Google's equity and profits in some form, as well as employee time, to address some of the world's most urgent problems. That commitment became a range of giving initiatives including Google.org." - http://www.google.org/about.html http://www.google.org/about.html
- gruseom 16y ago
  Why should he care about the pledge? Taking the letter at face value, he's already gone far further ("at least 95% of my wealth") than the pledgers, and he's done it in private. I can totally understand him not wanting to write such a letter and doing it only as a favour to Buffett, with a certain skepticism. Well-founded skepticism too. (Or maybe he's just pissed that he had to blow his cover as a supervillain.)

Timothee 16y ago

The letter he wrote for the Giving Pledge website actually shows a bit of him being a saint and an asshole: http://givingpledge.org/#larry_ellison http://givingpledge.org/#larry_ellison To whom it may concern, Many years ago, I put virtually all of my assets into a trust with the intent of giving away at least 95% of my wealth to charitable causes. I have already given hundreds of millions of dollars to medical research and education, and I will give billions more over time. Until now, I have done this giving quietly – because I have long believed that charitable giving is a personal and private matter. So why am I going public now? Warren Buffett personally asked me to write this letter because he said I would be “setting an example” and “influencing others” to give. I hope he’s right. Larry Ellison On one hand, he is giving a lot, on the other, you can tell he couldn't care less about the pledge and the letter.

SoftwareMaven 16y ago
My take on the letter is that he really doesn't like Buffet trying to push him around. I can understand wanting to give quietly; that is how I would prefer to give.
bhiggins 16y ago
That's actually pretty rad.
MartinCron 16y ago
This letter increased my admiration of the man greatly.
iambvk 16y ago
I wonder how much did google give away till now...
- sovande 16y ago
  Think "Google Summer of Code" for starters..
- micrypt 16y ago
  "In 2004, when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wrote to prospective shareholders about their vision for the company, they outlined a commitment to contribute significant resources, including 1% of Google's equity and profits in some form, as well as employee time, to address some of the world's most urgent problems. That commitment became a range of giving initiatives including Google.org." - http://www.google.org/about.html http://www.google.org/about.html
gruseom 16y ago
Why should he care about the pledge? Taking the letter at face value, he's already gone far further ("at least 95% of my wealth") than the pledgers, and he's done it in private. I can totally understand him not wanting to write such a letter and doing it only as a favour to Buffett, with a certain skepticism. Well-founded skepticism too. (Or maybe he's just pissed that he had to blow his cover as a supervillain.)