It is not about insuring future gadgets. Those will come regardless. It is more about certain legacy to the society and the World at large one would want to leave behind rather than just a gigantic pile of outdated and increasingly more difficult to recycle disposable electronic gadgets. There are better people to ask than myself how to positively impact the World as I am not a billionaire. At certain level it is no longer about the money, it is about "are we cool?" There is no shopping spree in mind, as with the current assets buying is irrelevant. Everything is too cheap. You may want to ask yourself how much is enough? I do not suggest a distribution to the detriment of this new shiny and faster computer you are so eager to devour with your hands full of appetite for unpacking yet another new box. Consider a wider approach outside of your personal needs, consider the impact of amassing this much cash by one entity with a clear plan to suck even more from global markets. Clearly it is no longer a purpose of continued growth, new technologies. So what is it at the end?
I don't know about Tom Cooks drinking habits. For all I care he can be as sober as a child, but I would prefer to know that he likes to get s---faced drunk often enough to have some human character.
As for the Joe subject, it is sad, that people no longer late at night at the often in the past obscure music shops are making live connections with others, rather now they download in seclusion and later listen in isolation of the earplugs. Yes, there is vinyl, there is also a niche SACD format, but more importantly there are loudspeakers. My visiting friends are always drawn to the shelves full of CDs and records, pulling something out. Joe has a computer full of some files and sure enough I will not be sticking his earphones into my ears.
Wow! My head is spinning you pivoted so much. First you complain Apple doesn't have plan to spend its reserves then you counter that Apple doesn't need to spend its money because gadgets will "come regardless," and swoon into a tirade with personal hits toward Tim Cook (never mind he initiated Apple's policy to match employee's charitable contributions, up to 10K) and how Apple is polluting the world with non-recyclable toys.
Following this you ironically lament the kids of today do not appreciate your physical CDs that will one day, maybe not while you are living, but one day, end up in the dump. Your CD player too. Meanwhile not one single AAC file from Apple iTunes will take up one mm of any trash or recycling facility, at least not literally -- Ha!
So I'd say you need to get your stories straight.
I personally still by CDs myself as I have a nice A/V system and like to rip ALACs. But so what. Most people download music today because we live in a more active world. Productive kids and adults alike have little time to loiter around record shops or sit around listening to music. It's a multitasking world, and Apple obliges us. That's how they make so much money.