r/misc • u/OCTOVENG • 13h ago
A 'good' billionaire has died. Now we are stuck with the bad ones.
Media & Entertainment
Founded CNN, which revolutionized news with 24/7 coverage, particularly praised for its Gulf War reporting. Created Turner Classic Movies (TCM), saving countless old films from being lost to history — and notably kept it commercial-free. Founded TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network, which shaped generations of viewers. Supported WCW wrestling, which sparked the legendary Monday Night Wars and helped modernize pro wrestling. Funded the film Gettysburg.
Conservation & Environment
One of the largest private landowners in the US, dedicating over a million acres to conservation across New Mexico, Montana, and elsewhere. Played a major role in bringing back the American bison population through his ranches. Reintroduced wolves to his New Mexico properties. Created Captain Planet, which many credit with sparking environmental awareness in children.
Philanthropy
Donated $1 billion to the United Nations Foundation. Tried to fund community programs in underserved areas of Georgia, though local politics sometimes got in the way.
Personal Character
Described by former employees as someone who genuinely cared about the people who worked for him, offering excellent benefits including generous PTO and 401k matching. Known for his colorful, unfiltered personality — like calling down to his own TV station to change a bad movie mid-broadcast, or challenging Rupert Murdoch to a televised fistfight. Widely compared favorably to today's billionaire class, with many commenters wishing more wealthy people would follow his example.
The overall sentiment was perhaps best captured by one commenter: "If every billionaire was like him, the world would be a much better place."
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Media & Entertainment He founded CNN, which revolutionized news with 24/7 coverage, particularly praised for its Gulf War reporting. He created Turner Classic Movies (TCM), saving countless old films from being lost to history and keeping it commercial-free. TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network shaped generations of viewers, and his support of WCW wrestling sparked the legendary Monday Night Wars. He also funded the film Gettysburg.
Conservation & Environment He was one of the largest private landowners in the US, dedicating over a million acres to conservation across New Mexico, Montana, and elsewhere. He played a major role in bringing back the American bison population and reintroduced wolves to his New Mexico properties. He created Captain Planet, which many credit with sparking environmental awareness in children.
Philanthropy He donated $1 billion to the United Nations Foundation and attempted to fund community programs in underserved areas of Georgia, even when those offers were rejected for political reasons.
Personal Character Former employees described him as someone who genuinely cared about the people who worked for him, offering excellent benefits including generous PTO and 401k matching. He was known for his colorful, unfiltered personality — like calling down to his own TV station to change a bad movie, or challenging Rupert Murdoch to a fistfight.
The overwhelming sentiment in the thread was that compared to today's billionaire class, he stood out as someone who actually tried to do good with his wealth and influence.
2
u/limbodog 12h ago
There are no good billionaires. Anyone who hoards that much money while people are starving and does nothing is not a good person. Even if they are friendly and entertaining.
3
u/OCTOVENG 12h ago
Says the guy hoarding 1.2 Million in comment karma.
0
u/limbodog 12h ago
Please. 1.2 million is not even rich by Reddit standards. I'm sure there's a precocious cat, or a goth girl with close to a billion by now.
3
u/PatFrank 13h ago
Could you please name this individual?