25 Comments
founding

I admire everything about that man. From his generosity to his recognition that “luck” plays a role in our lives. That’s his true genius. It sure brings home your story of gratitude.

Expand full comment

The man’s self-awareness, his sense of responsibility to others, his humility and gratitude are always present. Every family in America should acknowledge the “urgent zone,” and how it affects them and others.

Expand full comment

Not sure how much I value that advice from a man i like and greatly respect. It is based on randomness (lottery) of who we will be - and that creates fear that we could fall on the wrong (poor) side of society - which makes us hedge our bets on designing a fair society. But there is nothing random about this example. If fetus WB at -24hrs of age is capable of designing a "just" social system, surely he is also aware that he will be born white, privileged, and a pyramidion of that society. His cosmic twin in Africa - who knows with 100% certainty that she will be born black and poor - will tell the genie exactly what to do with that ovarian lottery.

Expand full comment

Not a white man but always feel fortunate to have been born where and when I was. As a female, I am allowed to have a job, go about freely in my day, wear what I choose. I have a good roof over my head, food in my kitchen, a stable transportation system. No wars or revolution or famine. Not wealthy but have money in the bank and a strong marriage. I am very fortunate.

Expand full comment

I guess there’s a caveat to the ovarian lottery and that what you do with what you’re given. Look at Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr,, etc. they saw their lives and knew they could still do something for humanity’s. Then look at Ryan Grantham, a 24-year-old successful actor who killed his mother.

There’s a group I supported that brought meditation to high security prisons. These men were the toughest guys around. Yet two men who meditate came from the outside and taught about 20 prisoners how to meditate. Those prisoners turned their lives around and became negotiators instead, not only in the prisons, but some were even paroled and worked with gangs to turn them around. So I think we have more control over our lives in that it’s not so much environment, but what we do with it. Our lives are mostly in our minds.

Expand full comment

Pretty amazing guy.

Expand full comment

Great insight, also brings into play the “which plays a larger role, heredity or environment?”

Expand full comment

"It’s been almost six months, and almost everyone seems to have forgotten, but remember when someone close to the Supreme Court leaked the Dobbs decision ahead of time? Retired Justice Stephen Breyer weighed in." If by "almost everyone," you are referring to the news cycle, I guess you're right. But in actuality, there are LOTS of people who haven't forgotten about this leak. People in my world talk about it quite a lot. Whoever leaked this information was a hero to many. They gave the country notice and made it possible for a lot of providers to put alternate plans in place. Removing the protections afforded under Roe is a systemic nightmare in terms of providing healthcare. It has been horrific for so many reasons (and not just for women and pregnant people), but it could have been so much worse if it had happened without any warning.

Expand full comment

We all many blessings which we need to be thankful for and recognize. Most of us are guilty of looking at those who may appear to have more and asking ourselves why not us. Warren is telling us we need to look at those who have less and ask how we can help?

I did not always understand that having parents that demanded more and held me to a higher standard was uncomfortable as a child, but helped me to become the person I am today. While it is now to late to say thank you to my parents, I can pass the lessons on to those who follow.

Expand full comment

What impresses me about Warren Buffett is what he has done after coming out of the womb. He exemplifies the three "I" s--Integrity, Intelligence, and Intensity. He, like all of us, isn't perfect and has had disappointments. Shockingly, he got his MBA from Columbia University because he couldn't get into Harvard Business School.

Expand full comment

The fact that women are treated as less than males and given fewer opportunities is not a matter of luck but, behavior of men who determine it is their divine right to assign the worth of women and their usefulness. The fact that Warren Buffett thinks he won the Ovarian Lottery because he was not born female just shows how sexist he is. It was not luck but genetics. Because he has been "lucky" to accumulate wealth doesn't mean he is a wise old man, but just another sexist using his wealth and position to maintain the status quo.

Expand full comment

Being born white and male does not equate to privilege. That statement is divisive, implying that anyone else is inferior. All people are born with unique gifts and talents. Recognizing what they are, being happy with them, and sharing them is a privilege.

Expand full comment
founding

As I have said before in the comments I don’t think there is any such thing as luck or coincidence. There are blessings and things work out or don’t according to effort and ability. I was born into a large family of all girls (6 total) in a poor community and we did not have indoor or outdoor plumbing. I NEVER knew we were poor and had a wonderful, delightful childhood because of great parents and community.

I don’t really know enough about Warren Buffett to make an intelligent comment on him but wish for him a continued blessed and meaningful life.

Expand full comment

Absolutely resonant.

I could look at Buffett's advantage as he wisely spoke of it, and see the disparity: I was born female, mixed race, in a less stable, lower middle class family struggling with mental health and addiction. It's helpful for me to do this - to see my own fiscal challenges through this lens, and to recognize how far I've come to be where I am today.

It is also helpful for me to examine my own privilege: born in the United States, with opportunities for education not offered to others; with a grandmother who saw the light in me, who believed in me, and and a godmother who taught me how to balance a checkbook and to save even a little of the money I earned. These three factors alone have benefited me in numerous ways, fiscal and otherwise. So thank you for shining a light on this, and sharing Buffett's observations. As always, I enjoy your emails, Bill! - Joanna Free

Expand full comment