Interesting thread. I have the following observations:
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People lie on the internet because people lie. They lie in person, they lie on their resumes, they lie to their spouses and children, they even lie to themselves. Why would “the internet” be any different?
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Citing “Zero Hedge” as a source is, well, a really bad way to engage in an argument. “Is Zero Hedge a credible source?”
Zero Hedge is generally not considered a credible or reliable source due to a history of promoting conspiracy theories, a consistent political and economic bias, and its role in amplifying misinformation, including Russian propaganda”
- Saying the Al Gore made $200 million from his “global warming” business indicates a lack of research or outright falsity.
Gore had about $2 million when he left political service. His next $70m came by selling “Current TV” to Qatari owned Al Jazerra (mostly to secure their carriage rights on various platforms), and in the same month another $30m for exercising Apple options he received for serving on the Apple Board.
He exercised another 40,000 options worth about another $40m 9 years later in 2013, and has sold additional tranches in 2017 and 2019 (exact details unknown) and as of his retirement from the board in 2024 had almost 500,000 unexercised options, at various strike prices also unknown.
The overwhelming portion of his wealth has come from Apple, indeed, he has lost money or broken even on most of his “green” ventures.
So I’m a just say: Eddie needs better sources. A lot better, which he is unlikely to find in the concrete silo he has built for himself. But then maybe he was the one born during that minute that people talk about.
One last thing:
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Yes. I’m privileged to live in an advanced society, which got that way through both public and private investment. I support higher school taxes even though I have no children. I’m aware that better infrastructure improves my life, even as it gives others the chance to make money because of it. Better roads = better transportation, better distribution, lower prices overall. Better internet = more learning, better information *(not everyone obviously). Better education = better science, and possibly better art, music, drama, books.
And so on. Yes, I support higher taxes, including on myself. We had a period of vast wealth for a few and misery for many, it was called the Gilded Age, and society was better when more people shared in the bounty. That Elon Musk might only have enough money to start 100 other companies instead of 200 doesn’t bother me, and if Jeff Bezos’ newest yacht is 10 feet shorter, well, cry me a river.
I used to despise Bill Gates for his misappropriation of certain computer attributes and grinding of competitors into the dust, but at least he has redeemed himself by trying to make the world a better place. He advocates higher taxes on the wealthy. So does Warren Buffett.
There’s a lesson there.