Is Investing in Influenza Research a Worthwhile Use of Resources?

[Ivan Seeking]

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Running what is in effect an ad for talent, Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett, 76, says in the company's just-released annual report that he plans to hire a younger person - or perhaps more than one - to understudy him in managing Berkshire's investments.

Buffett hopes to find, he says, a candidate to "succeed me as Berkshire's chief investment officer when the need for someone to do that arises." [continued]

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/01/magazines/fortune/b_newbuffett.fortune/index.htm?eref=rss_topstories

 

[Astronuc]

Well, it would be an interesting job. On the other hand, I'd be inclined to give away most the money since I don't need that much to get by.

I really wouldn't want to be a billionaire, nor would I care much for millions of dollars. I prefer to work for reasonable compensation, as opposed to deriving an income off other peoples' work.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I wouldn't mind having that kind of money, say for example if I won a ten- billion dollar lottery, or if I invented something like YouTube [sold for 1.6 Billion a couple of years] that was relatively easy money, but if it meant being "The Donald", or being a crook, I would rather die poor.

But if I had it, sure, I would give a bunch away, and for me:

Trip to space station
Bugatti Veyron or similar
Mig 29, private commuter jet, private helicopter
Jetman wings w/plane, instructor etc
Private Island
Coffee pot that doesn't dribble

 

[whatta]

who said that job will make you a billionaire. it is still his money you will manage.

 

[light_bulb]

it wouldn't necceserely be fun with everyone banging at your door, first thing i'd do would be to move to an island with tons of supplys, then figure out what needed to be done. maybe hire someone else to be the billionare, really a pr person. I've seen people get out of control for small amounts of money, large amounts drive people crazy.

 

[Kurdt]

I've seen some idiot drink a bowl of water + 2 goldfish (live ones) for £100. Why do people still treat fish awfully on TV like they were not animals as well? Its like asking someone to cannibalise their pet cat for petty cash. Crazy!

 

[Moridin]

I would not have anything against a filthy large amount of money. I would simply spend it on contributing to the advancement of science. At this point of time, it would probably be to the research on avian flu division by WHO.

 

[marlon]

I would not have anything against a filthy large amount of money. I would simply spend it on contributing to the advancement of science.

Ok, i don't won't to tell you what you can or cannot do with "your money" but i hate it when people get all "ideological" and say "i will contribute it to science". Trust me, enough money goes to scientific research and most breakthroughs don't need lots of funding to begin with. If you want to get a lot of technological advancement, i suggest you start a war. This is the lesson that history has told us. If i were you, your money will be much more useful in setting up aids for underdeveloped countries. Try to build schools, try to give people an education. Leave the scientific breakthroughs for those 0.00001 % happy few scientists that are truly geniusses and brilliant minds. The rest of those "scientists" (like most of us) are just there to collect the bits and peices and make a very small contribution that may enhance some breakthrough technique (at best).

greets
marlon

 

[Astronuc]

Investment Guru Buffett Seeks a Successor
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7681881

Morning Edition, March 2, 2007 · Investment guru Warren Buffett is looking for a successor. The 76-year-old head of the Berkshire Hathaway holding company writes that his successor much be able to manage "a very large portfolio." Buffett says he's not stepping down anytime soon.

 

[Moridin]

Marlon, I do not want to tell you what can and cannot be done with money. However, I really dislike it when people think that science 'gets enough as it is' or whatever version of it you assume.

Do you know how many people are working with avian flu at the WHO? 12. That includes administrative personnel. There is currently a race every single year to get influenza vaccine out there in time. We are loosing that race. We are also loosing the race against H5N1. Why? Lack of resources, personnel, research funding and public and political awareness. Guess what can aid this cause? Money.

During the Spanish Flu in 1918, about 1/3 of the worlds population got infected and 100 million people died. That is what history taught us.

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20050701faessay84401-p0/laurie-garrett/the-next-pandemic.html
http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/323/

 

[marlon]

Do you know how many people are working with avian flu at the WHO? 12. That includes administrative personnel. There is currently a race every single year to get influenza vaccine out there in time. We are loosing that race. We are also loosing the race against H5N1. Why? Lack of resources, personnel, research funding and public and political awareness. Guess what can aid this cause? Money.

During the Spanish Flu in 1918, about 1/3 of the worlds population got infected and 100 million people died. That is what history taught us.

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20050701faessay84401-p0/laurie-garrett/the-next-pandemic.html
http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/323/

OK, Ok, i get your point. Still, such research takes ages and cost billions of dollars. Most scientists working on such projects are able to contribute just a veeeeerrry small piece of the puzzle. Now, i am not saying this is bad but as an investment it is useless. You will never see the result unless you are "lucky" that someone actually achieves a big breakthrough. I am saying that if you want to make the world a better place, invest in more realistic objectives like education, irrigation, basic health care etc etc

marlon