Yes it is ... however the difference between Steve and I is ... if I had an extra 8 Billion dollars kicking around ... I would donate it to worthy causes and nobody would be able to say squat about the 1/2 Billion I keep for myself and my family.
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Bono Defends Steve Jobs Against Criticism Over Lack of Public Philanthropy
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Yes it is ... however the difference between Steve and I is ... if I had an extra 8 Billion dollars kicking around ... I would donate it to worthy causes and nobody would be able to say squat about the 1/2 Billion I keep for myself and my family.
At what point do you start allowing yourself to make public judgments about what others do with their money?
A billion? A hundred million? Ten million?
Steve's Greedy for Time, not Money
Next, for those saying "It's his money--" You are right, but it never makes anyone look good to hold onto more money then they can spend. I think, however, this isn't about his right to hold onto or spend money as he likes. This is about holding onto and spending his remaining time as he likes. For a man in his kind of health, that is going to matter a hell of a lot more than the money. I think everyone here should remember that. If you had only so long to live, how much of that time would you spend on giving away your money rather than trying to do all you felt you hadn't done but wanted to? Especially if you'd already written up in your will where all that money was going?
On the other side: for all those saying that public philanthropy would inspire--it might also backfire. Who you gave or didn't give to can earn you criticism and, in this case, reflect back on Apple (Unlike Gates where what he does doesn't seem to reflect on Microsoft). Obviously, no company can avoid controversy and Apple continues to have more than its share--Steve's contributions to this or that has the potential to add more controversy. He may have decided it's less controversial to be an invisible than a visible philanthropist. Maybe he's wrong, but that's his decision.
As for whether he's a philanthropist or not, I'll reserve judgement on that till after he dies and we see where his money goes. There are people who--given past experience (Jobs sinking money into Pixar, etc. and not seeing a profit for years on end), hold onto their money during their lifetime in case they need to fix something that breaks...like a company. Such men hold their creations (companies) as their responsibility and so hold onto their money while they live. Their philanthropic side appears only after they've died. That's when we see the hospitals built in their name, the concert halls, libraries and foundations.
Given Steve's health problems, I suspect this is what is going on. It isn't greed, and it isn't that he has no philanthropic side to him. It's simply that he knows he has very limited time on this planet and wants to make sure he's built, created, gotten out all he wants to build, create and get out there--including making sure his most important creation--this ship called Apple, can sustain itself. I suspect he's planned out all that will be done with his money after he passes. His remaining time is what he's greedy about; that's his and his alone to use. And I suspect he is holding onto that, and maybe the money as well, in case he needs to patch or fix Apple before he dies and leaves it sailing on its own.
Excellent point! First, for those saying he's greedy--I don't think the man who sunk money into Pixar, losing something like $10,000 a year, with no hope for a profit in sight can be labeled as "greedy." Money isn't what he wants. He probably likes it, but if greed was his motivator, then he'd have taken the money he made early on and simply invested it and re-invested it, not sunk it into failing companies again and again. What he was after was to have his vision be a reality, and he was willing to sacrifice every last dollar to get that. So, I'm afraid the evidence for "greedy" in terms of money-grubbing isn't there.
Next, for those saying "It's his money--" You are right, but it never makes anyone look good to hold onto more money then they can spend. I think, however, this isn't about his right to hold onto or spend money as he likes. This is about holding onto and spending his remaining time as he likes. For a man in his kind of health, that is going to matter a hell of a lot more than the money. I think everyone here should remember that. If you had only so long to live, how much of that time would you spend on giving away your money rather than trying to do all you felt you hadn't done but wanted to? Especially if you'd already written up in your will where all that money was going?
On the other side: for all those saying that public philanthropy would inspire--it might also backfire. Who you gave or didn't give to can earn you criticism and, in this case, reflect back on Apple (Unlike Gates where what he does doesn't seem to reflect on Microsoft). Obviously, no company can avoid controversy and Apple continues to have more than its share--Steve's contributions to this or that has the potential to add more controversy. He may have decided it's less controversial to be an invisible than a visible philanthropist. Maybe he's wrong, but that's his decision.
As for whether he's a philanthropist or not, I'll reserve judgement on that till after he dies and we see where his money goes. There are people who--given past experience (Jobs sinking money into Pixar, etc. and not seeing a profit for years on end), hold onto their money during their lifetime in case they need to fix something that breaks...like a company. Such men hold their creations (companies) as their responsibility and so hold onto their money while they live. Their philanthropic side appears only after they've died. That's when we see the hospitals built in their name, the concert halls, libraries and foundations.
Given Steve's health problems, I suspect this is what is going on. It isn't greed, and it isn't that he has no philanthropic side to him. It's simply that he knows he has very limited time on this planet and wants to make sure he's built, created, gotten out all he wants to build, create and get out there--including making sure his most important creation--this ship called Apple, can sustain itself. I suspect he's planned out all that will be done with his money after he passes. His remaining time is what he's greedy about; that's his and his alone to use. And I suspect he is holding onto that, and maybe the money as well, in case he needs to patch or fix Apple before he dies and leaves it sailing on its own.
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Nerve struck there? My original comment has very little to do with the equipment we use, but more our lifestyles and attitudes - obviously this point was not understood so I will re-iterate:
It's amazing how quick we can be to accuse others of malfeasance, pretending to know the end from the beginning, knowing their thoughts and intentions. Unless you are close to a person how on earth can you truly believe you have the wisdom and insight required to make an educated decision on their intentions and desires? Do you truly know how Jobs spends all of his money? How Bono desings and intends his charities to function?
Media will always publicize scandals, stretch truths, and embellish facts, and to believe that you somehow possess the godly wisdom to differentiate the fact from fiction is truly the most "imbecile" belief you could have.
If everyone spent less time complaining about others and more time worrying about themselves we wouldn't have half these issues.
What Gates and Buffet are doing by donating away the bulk of their fortunes is admirable ... and when they challenge others to follow suit ... that is also commendable.
Why people with extra Billions do not ... escapes my moral thinking.
Nobody needs more than a Billion dollars in this world.
1) I haven't mentioned Jobs, so why are you bringing him into our discussion?
2) I'm not judging Bono on a guess about his thoughts and intensions, but on his actual actions and what he has quite vocally expressed about this and that.
The rest of your post doesn't add anything. With your stupid post with the arm chair, you committed the exact same "crime" that you're accusing other people of in relation to Jobs and Bono:
"It's amazing how quick nibus can be to accuse racketeer71 of malfeasance, pretending to know the end from the beginning, knowing his thoughts and intentions. Unless nibus is close to racketeer71 how on earth can he truly believe he has the wisdom and insight required to make an educated decision on racketeer71s intentions and desires?"
So your an ataku hiding in your basement because I was down in Texas. Plano, Huston and Austin for 4 years and from time to time I ran into people who thought the world was about 6000 or so years with some telling me dinosaurs are the devil's work.
I even got plenty of practice talking to those that would not immunize their kids. That said it just depend what kind of people are around you and whether anyone you know even actually goes to church or mega church thing. High school or college is not where you will find these people.
I am sure if you diversify your self you will find them of plenty.
To answer your first question, no.
I work with emergency responders, I travel a lot to disaster sites and meet a wide variety of people with different beliefs/faiths/cultures. So diversity certainly isn't an issue. I just grow weary of generalizations and assumptions. "I met a few people that believe this and that so it must be true that all 'these people' believe this and that."
Of course you are entitled to your opinions on Bono. Anyone who is as opinionated and sometimes brash as he is will receive backlash. As for his "actual actions" that you are judging him by, the same point could be made about the positive actions that he has taken. Just the act of traveling around the globe and trying to influence leaders to contribute towards poverty is more than a noble gesture. However if you were truly acquainted with his resume you might be surprised to the amount of good that he has and continues to accomplish.
Your original reply only proved my initial post - that it is very easy to sit in the comfort of our homes and make judgment on the very people who ARE traveling the globe, trying to influence others for good.
Its uninformed bandwagon jumping comments like this that help to cloud real issues. The epitome of greed and selfishnness would be the faceless bankers and traders who knowingly brought the worlds economies to its knees while pocketing billions, and who not only have escaped justice but continue to pay themselves whatever they want while protected by wingnuts like the Tea Party to escape paying anything near what they should be in taxes.
You know what? Why don't people simply keep their noses out of other peoples business.
Besides, Malinda makes the financial calls in the Gate's Home. Not Bill.
Besides, Malinda makes the financial calls in the Gate's Home. Not Bill.
You know what? Why don't people simply keep their noses out of other peoples business.
Besides, Malinda makes the financial calls in the Gate's Home. Not Bill.
That's normal for a marriage, isn't it? The man earns the money and his wife spends it.
And blaming bankers for the economic problems isn't "uninformed bandwagon jumping"?
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If I'm rich I need to be generous? This is stupid.
If I'm rich I need to be generous? This is stupid.
Sorry my stupidity, but why not? If you're rich, you probably used someone's labour force. It's fair returning the excess to the society.
now he just resigned. he probably will have more time to contribute for public. I want to see what he will do for. without us, Apple didn't even grow faster or did die already. he should know about that. I will keep an eye on his action.
Believe it or not ... you sleep just as well owning 1 Billion dollars as you do with 9 Billion dollars ... if you don't, then you have been afflicted with Greed.
The Japanese call this virtue Intoku --- Good done in secret. To do good in secret means to act without seeking attention and praise, to act without any hope of reward.
If as it is said, that Steve studied Zen Buddhism in his youth to the point that he actually thought of becoming a monk and that is part of his spiritual outlook, then intoku would definitely be an important virtue in that outlook. Given his preference for privacy, that would seem very natural for him to be attracted to this approach.
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This is the most hilarious justification I have ever heard! So your saying only people who are too dumb and don't know what to do with their money give to charity? To say that about Gates and Buffet is laughable. Even Steve Jobs would move quickly away from you if you were to say that while standing next to him.
If you have 8 billion dollars and give half of it away you're still stupid rich. You cant feed your family on 4 billion?
In what way has an MP3 player and a phone/tablet changed the world in any real quantifiable way. Apple sells gadgets. Very handy and well made gadgets but gadgets nonetheless.
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Wow, God like status huh? You give him way too much credit!
I'm sorry, I'm really confused about this line of thinking. So let's say Steve Jobs wasn't a match for this liver, then what would've happened? They would've thrown it into the dumpster out behind the hospital?
I don't believe that for one second. In a hypothetical world where Steve Jobs didn't have his jet, I'm sure the liver would've gone to somebody. The question isn't if he was first on the waiting list legitimately (i.e. was following the rules)- I'm more than confident he was. The question is, was it ethically justified (as he had the resources to be "two hours away" from far more hospitals than you or me)?
What is Charity?
I think the best answer would be "It's none of your freaking Business what I do with my money."
I think the best answer would be "It's none of your freaking Business what I do with my money."
It's ethically wrong. He should only have been on one waiting list. The only reason he could be on multiple lists is because he's rich and had the means to fly anywhere.