Outside my window, in the street, a man labors in the rain with pick and shovel, and his reward is merely a roof for tonight and tomorrow’s three meals. Contemplating the differences between his luck and mine, I cannot fail to wonder at the eternal meaninglessness of life. I wonder thus and pity his lot, and then, after awhile, perhaps, I begin to reflect that in many ways he is probably luckier than I. But I wouldn’t change places with him. – H. L. Mencken
Newsflash: Another billionaire to give away his fortune. Awww.
Am I the only lower-middle class person to get weary of all this rich guy sanctimony? If I hear the term “give back” one more time, I think I’m going to give my lunch back to the table. But, hey, at least Mark Zuckerberg has not joined the “Tax me more!” club (yet).
Dear Mr. Zuckerberg: As you dream up your new giving portfolio, please consider setting aside a nice chunk for me. That’s Max Borders — like “Books and Music”. No relation, though. Indeed, if you’re looking for ways to give away your fortune, here are the Top Five ways I’d help you spend all that largess. I think I could be an excellent steward of your ‘spare’ fortunes.
Top Five
5. Create Value – I’d start another company that created value, made a profit and required the hiring of productive employees. I have lots, nay, tons of good ideas. I just lack the startup capital. Translation: I’d turn Zuckerberg’s wealth into more wealth shared by more people. I might even start my own venture capital firm.
4. Some Real Philanthropy – I’d funnel resources to organizations that work on building institutions that give rise to prosperity and self sufficiency, rather than creating dependency. For example:
- Centre for Civil Society (India)
- The Institute for Liberty and Democracy (Peru)
- Grameen Bank (Bangladesh)
- The Mercatus Center (USA)
- Whole Planet Foundation (USA)
- Seasteading Institute (Ocean)
- Free To Choose Network
I’d probably also create something like Kickstarter for the libertarian movement, as well as one for super effective philanthropies.
3. Books on a Beach – Instead of working for a living, I’d find a nice place at the beach – like the Outer Banks of North Carolina – and I’d write books. One of my first books would be called Good Philanthropy, Bad Philanthropy. Perhaps: Why it’s Better in Your Pocket than at the U.S. Treasury. These are but working titles.
2. Make a Movie – I’ve always wanted to make a dystopian film. First, I’d probably drop by Washington to visit various members of Obama’s cabinet for ideas, then I would render all these grand schemes in a film shot in gory detail. Perverse but sometimes predictable consequences follow utopian dreams like night follows day. So it would be a big budget picture.
1. Buy Washington Examiner – That way I could pay all the staff writers and freelancers more and make the Opinion Zone more visible. For the faithful Opinion Zone readers, I’m glad you found us.
By the way, if I were successful at Number 5, I guess it would obviate the need for 4-1. I’m as tired as anyone of eating peanut butter at the end of the month. But at least I don’t have to sell insurance.
A writer can dream, can’t he?
Max Borders is a writer living in Austin. He blogs for Ideas Matter.
