Paul Allen died. Age 65. In his post-Microsoft life, he generously gave away at the tune of 2 Billion to museum and art charity. I have yet seen anyone being so true to himself, to his passion and compassion. In contrast to Paul Allen, Paul Getty bought arts and donated for accounting principles, not moral principles ( per “All the Money in the World”).
Structurally, 3 top food exporting countries: India, China and Pakistan see more people in their own country starve to death. “The poor shall always be with you”.
For the lack of will more than lack of ways.
I have combed through tech literature quite often, and what I found missing was the link between the 60’s and the rise of Apple and Amazon (which broke the Trillion-Dollar barrier). It might have been an unintended consequence that the spirit of sharing propels the engine of tech, which in turn enriches only a few. Share the Whole Earth Catalog but not Whole Foods Menu.
Paul Getty held off on bailing out his grandson until the very last “ear”, and couldn’t bring all the art pieces with him to the grave. So did Paul Allen. But the difference is quite striking when you take all things into consideration: Paul Allen still remains, as a force for good, a strong influence on Bill Gates, of late a philanthropist himself. Allen, the Idea Man, who had his share of interstate commute in his early days, helped give us easy access to the world of computing. He who receives (library computer access) gives – generously.
Thang Nguyen 555 