Re:Ask HN: Why are there many philanthropists among billiona...
by bell-cot on Tuesday April 23, 2024 @07:09PM
(#40138424)
(Note that your list is very heavy on self-made billionaires. Vs. the "daddy left me gigabucks" crowd.)
Once you've got a few 50-room mansions, the 400' yacht, 3 private jets, 2 vintage car collections, and whatever other "meh, just a few billion?" trinkets that your tastes might crave...there still are the "always yearning to control more things" urges that helped drive you to become a billionaire to begin with. And the desire to add another dimension to your exalted social status. And your PR team regularly pestering you to give them favorable-sounding stories to push.
10-digit philanthropy, especially ostentatious and self-directed stuff, can help meet a lot of those needs.
Once you've got a few 50-room mansions, the 400' yacht, 3 private jets, 2 vintage car collections, and whatever other "meh, just a few billion?" trinkets that your tastes might crave...there still are the "always yearning to control more things" urges that helped drive you to become a billionaire to begin with. And the desire to add another dimension to your exalted social status. And your PR team regularly pestering you to give them favorable-sounding stories to push.
10-digit philanthropy, especially ostentatious and self-directed stuff, can help meet a lot of those needs.