AdamSmith Posted May 14, 2014 Posted May 14, 2014 Fairly trenchant dissection of the contemporary art market. http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/may/14/christies-sale-art-auction-bubble Quote
Members RA1 Posted May 14, 2014 Members Posted May 14, 2014 I think I have made this kind of comment before and that is, when folks have far more money than they can spend for personal well being, no matter my opinion of how wasteful they may seem, it is their money and how they wish to spend it is their business. Of course, this does not include some fairly obvious anti-societal products or processes. No buying animals just to hurt them. No making slaves of humans, regardless of their possible willingness. No poisoning of city water supplies. Etc. OTOH, I am sorry to say that even some folks whose motives I respect sometimes do not seem to spend their money wisely. Here I am thinking of such as the Gates Foundation. But, no one can hit a home run every time at the plate. Best regards, RA1 Quote
AdamSmith Posted May 14, 2014 Author Posted May 14, 2014 OTOH, I am sorry to say that even some folks whose motives I respect sometimes do not seem to spend their money wisely. Here I am thinking of such as the Gates Foundation. No axe to grind on my part. Just wonder what in particular you disagree with the Gates Foundation on? Quote
Members RA1 Posted May 15, 2014 Members Posted May 15, 2014 As suggested before, I think they are very sincere in trying to help other folks. Many folks, especially those here in the South, do not believe that money alone can solve very much of anything. Necessary, yes. A complete solution, no. The GF has very kindly set up an education fund with specific goals here in the MEM area. So far as I can tell, it is benefitting a few teachers but few or no students. What I call a complete flop. Spending more and more money on education seems a national tragedy. The students hereabout get $9,000 each spent on them with no real progress is sight. Plus, such as what the GF spends (+ others). In general (not specific to education) I like Paul Tudor Jones' approach to helping others. Lend them money, provide business advice and then, if they don't perform in a "reasonable" amount of time, eliminate their funding. What I call real world help. Best regards, RA1 Quote
