“A first-generation fortune is the most likely to be given away, but once a fortune is inherited it's less likely that a very high percentage will go back to society.”
Society“Me and my dad are the biggest promoters of an estate tax in the US. It's not a popular position.”
Dad“A first-generation fortune is the most likely to be given away, but once a fortune is inherited it's less likely that a very high percentage will go back to society.”
Society“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.”
Success“Climate change is a terrible problem, and it absolutely needs to be solved. It deserves to be a huge priority.”
Change“Although I don't have a prescription for what others should do, I know I have been very fortunate and feel a responsibility to give back to society in a very significant way.”
Society“Digital reading will completely take over. It's lightweight and it's fantastic for sharing. Over time it will take over.”
Time“I'm a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how they can achieve the kind of freedoms that they're interested in.”
Communication“I actually thought that it would be a little confusing during the same period of your life to be in one meeting when you're trying to make money, and then go to another meeting where you're giving it away. I mean is it gonna erode your ability, you know, to make money? Are you gonna somehow get confused about what you're trying to do?”
Life“If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 MPG.”
Car“Innovations that are guided by smallholder farmers, adapted to local circumstances, and sustainable for the economy and environment will be necessary to ensure food security in the future.”
Food“People always fear change. People feared electricity when it was invented, didn't they? People feared coal, they feared gas-powered engines... There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. But with time, people will come to accept their silicon masters.”
Change“DOS is ugly and interferes with users' experience.”
Experience“Like almost everyone who uses e-mail, I receive a ton of spam every day. Much of it offers to help me get out of debt or get rich quick. It would be funny if it weren't so exciting.”
Funny“In inner-city, low-income communities of color, there's such a high correlation in terms of educational quality and success.”
Success“It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”
Failure“It's really kind of cool to have solar panels on your roof.”
Cool“If you're using first-class land for biofuels, then you're competing with the growing of food. And so you're actually spiking food prices by moving energy production into agriculture.”
Food“In this business, by the time you realize you're in trouble, it's too late to save yourself. Unless you're running scared all the time, you're gone.”
Business“I have seen firsthand that agricultural science has enormous potential to increase the yields of small farmers and lift them out of hunger and poverty.”
Science“Television is not real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.”
Life“If you can't make it good, at least make it look good.”
Good