Warren Buffett's USD600 billion challenge

This post have little to do with automotive world, but I thought it would be interesting enough to share with everyone else. Since we did touched a bit on the family soap opera that is going on at the Naza empire and someone posted a comment linking to Warren Buffett's son. Yesterday, two of the richest men in the world, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates asked rich American families to pledge 50% of their wealth away. Warren Buffett went a lot further, by saying

First, my pledge: More than 99% of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death. Measured by dollars, this commitment is large. In a comparative sense, though, many individuals give more to others every day. Millions of people who regularly contribute to churches, schools, and other organizations thereby relinquish the use of funds that would otherwise benefit their own families. The dollars these people drop into a collection plate or give to United Way mean forgone movies, dinners out, or other personal pleasures. In contrast, my family and I will give up nothing we need or want by fulfilling this 99% pledge.

I liked the way he put, the part where measured in dollars he may have given more, but many others have given a lot more in their own ways. He further added,

Moreover, this pledge does not leave me contributing the most precious asset, which is time. Many people, including -- I'm proud to say -- my three children, give extensively of their own time and talents to help others. Gifts of this kind often prove far more valuable than money. A struggling child, befriended and nurtured by a caring mentor, receives a gift whose value far exceeds what can be bestowed by a check. My sister, Doris, extends significant person-to-person help daily. I've done little of this.

It was a very short but very meaningful statement, recommend everyone to read it here.

By the standards of most people in the world, Warren's son is not a very successful person, as he is a professional musician. But it just goes to show how the Buffett family kept their values intact while the rest of the world goes on mad chasing for meaningless items that doesn't really make them any happier.

Here is another interesting critique on the Asian perception of a child's "success".

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