3 ms·

Reframe “donations” as “PR expenses” and his continual wealth increase will make sense.

motoboi 6y ago
Yeah, but no. The problem is that the man invested in Microsoft, which has been proving itself to be a hell of an investment.
- ceilingcorner 6y ago
  Sorry but spending / donating money is not a difficult thing to do. If you have billions of dollars, claim to be donating much of it, but somehow your wealth continues to increase, perhaps you’re not trying hard enough?
  - Karunamon 6y ago
    There's no "claim" - those donations and the records of the foundations are a matter of public record. Also, completely liquidating and giving away his assets would result in a large payout once.. and then nothing ever again. You need money to make money, so holding onto some to appreciate in value (investments, interest, etc) results in more money being donated over a longer amount of time.
    - ceilingcorner 6y ago
      Yet somehow he has X houses, X private jets, X acres of farmland, etc. etc. It’s completely absurd that we should think he’s an ethical hero. A pauper that donates $5 has made more sacrifices.
      - closeparen 6y ago
        Impact on others isn't a function of how painful the sacrifice is to you, it's a function of how much value you provide to them.
  - realityking 6y ago
    Giving away a million is easy, giving away a billion - or several - not so much. At least if you want the money to have an impact.
    - ceilingcorner 6y ago
      The richest man in the world can’t afford a few smart people to pick good donation recipients?
hojjat12000 6y ago
That doesn't make sense at all! What is this PR for? Are people buying more Windows Licenses because he is paying to charity? Are people sending money to him? Is he making billions of dollars getting commission for books he recommend? What do you mean?
- ceilingcorner 6y ago
  The PR is to counteract the realization that a handful of ultra wealthy individuals own more than the other 90% of humanity combined.

Yeah, but no. The problem is that the man invested in Microsoft, which has been proving itself to be a hell of an investment.

ceilingcorner 6y ago
Sorry but spending / donating money is not a difficult thing to do. If you have billions of dollars, claim to be donating much of it, but somehow your wealth continues to increase, perhaps you’re not trying hard enough?
- Karunamon 6y ago
  There's no "claim" - those donations and the records of the foundations are a matter of public record. Also, completely liquidating and giving away his assets would result in a large payout once.. and then nothing ever again. You need money to make money, so holding onto some to appreciate in value (investments, interest, etc) results in more money being donated over a longer amount of time.
  - ceilingcorner 6y ago
    Yet somehow he has X houses, X private jets, X acres of farmland, etc. etc. It’s completely absurd that we should think he’s an ethical hero. A pauper that donates $5 has made more sacrifices.
    - closeparen 6y ago
      Impact on others isn't a function of how painful the sacrifice is to you, it's a function of how much value you provide to them.
- realityking 6y ago
  Giving away a million is easy, giving away a billion - or several - not so much. At least if you want the money to have an impact.
  - ceilingcorner 6y ago
    The richest man in the world can’t afford a few smart people to pick good donation recipients?

hojjat12000 6y ago

That doesn't make sense at all! What is this PR for? Are people buying more Windows Licenses because he is paying to charity? Are people sending money to him? Is he making billions of dollars getting commission for books he recommend? What do you mean?

ceilingcorner 6y ago
The PR is to counteract the realization that a handful of ultra wealthy individuals own more than the other 90% of humanity combined.