Musha Cay is a cluster of private islands in the Exuma Chain south of the Bahamas. It is one of the most beautiful, exclusive and expensive resorts in the world perhaps better than even Richard Branson's Necker Island. (Google's 2 co-founders had their respective weddings on each of these resorts) But such indescribable luxury comes at an astronomical price. At anywhere from $27,000-$42,000 per night for up to 25 people not including the $ 120,000 for a pair of Gulfstream Vs to take everyone down there this vacation is just a little north of completely obscene bordering on despicable. I can't wait to celebrate my 30th birthday there.
Ambitious? Believe it when I see it? Crock of shit? Delusional? Egotistical? Fuck yea? Greedy? Hell no? I wanna come too? Let's not finish the alphabet. When the time comes I'll have the 23 invitations hand delivered.
The amorphous "they" would have you believe that this luxury and altruism are mutually exclusive polar opposites. Don't take Lamborghini advice from someone who's only ever ridden a bicycle. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are two of the richest men in the world and they have their fair share of enemies and detractors. But they also have some of the world's largest charities. The cynical screams of "TAX WRITE-OFF" are duly noted, bitter bunch of bastards eh? Who cares about their motivations when they give away more than entire generations of humanity have ever earned? Sometimes the ends do justify the means. What does that have to do with the Austrian guy?
Google Karl Rabeder and you'll find a heartwarming story about an Austrian millionaire who has decided to donate his entire $4.7 million fortune and exile himself to the fringe of society. What a load of crap. It's great that he is donating it to charity and not blackjack 32 in pit 18 at Venetian's Paiza club, but give me a break. That guy is quitting and heckling everyone else for still playing and I find it a little too self-righteous and mildly pathetic.
Waahhh I made a lot of money and it made me sad. Now I'm going to give it all away and live in a tiny cabin in the Swiss alps. What would have happened if Bill Gates and Warren Buffet gave up at $ 4.7 M. Where would the world be today? Spiderman's uncle had it right all along, "With great power comes great responsibility.
Karl Rabeder, you may be a nice rich Euro dude, but you are doing no great service by announcing your faux Buddha ways. Someone in your position obviously has enough intelligence and/or good fortune to create an even bigger fortune. So you don't want to live the 5-star lifestyle, that's fine. You can take the subway or rather, the metro, to work like the IKEA guy. But that's no reason to give all of your money away. You're only 47, go make some more and then give it away, or if you just want anonymity, then move to your damn cottage and donate the money anonymously. Don't go and make a big show of it man. You're heart's in what seems to be the right place, but it seems that your head is not.
I'm not hating on Mr. Rabeder. His money will definitely enrich many lives, perhaps more than my money ever will, but it definitely sends a mixed message. Wealth is not to be feared or reviled neither is it to be worshiped nor yearned for. Wealth is a tool and like all tools it can be used for good and evil.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to experience some of the finest things in life and contrary to appearance I do not believe the finest things in life are private jets, villas and islands. True love, genuine affection, camaraderie, respect, compassion, loyalty, faith, kung fu, Triad movies, casinos, models, Bugatis, scotch, books, cooks, real family, music, poker, winning, losing, writing. These are a infinitesimal number of things that can be enjoyed and experienced in this life. In the tapestry of these infinite possibilities is it really so hard to imagine that indulging in both luxury and benevolence is a path worth following?
Achieving your dreams doesn't mean destroying those of others, at least not permanently.
You can have all of this and still contribute to society.
Really you can. Just don't be lazy.
And don't stop believing!
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