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MZ
Mark Zuckerberg

Co-founder, chairman and chief executive of Meta Platforms

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
There is something wrong with our system when I can leave here and make billions of dollars in 10 years while millions of students can’t afford to pay off their loans, let alone start a business. Look, I know a lot of entrepreneurs, and I don’t know a single person who gave up on starting a business because they might not make enough money. But I know lots of people who haven’t pursued dreams because they didn’t have a cushion to fall back on if they failed. We all know we don’t succeed just by having a good idea or working hard. We succeed by being lucky too. If I had to support my family growing up instead of having time to code, if I didn’t know I’d be fine if Facebook didn’t work out, I wouldn’t be standing here today. If we’re honest, we all know how much luck we’ve had. Every generation expands its definition of equality. Previous generations fought for the vote and civil rights. They had the New Deal and Great Society. Now it’s our time to define a new social contract for our generation. We should have a society that measures progress not just by economic metrics like GDP, but by how many of us have a role we find meaningful.

Harvard University 366th Commencement, Harvard Gazette, 25 May 2017 source ↗

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David Hockney Painter, draughtsman, printmaker and photographer
I thought I was a hedonist at the time, but when I look back I was always working. I am always working. I work every day. I never give parties; I never gave them.
Recorded The Guardian, Interview at his London home, The Guardian, 9 May 2015 source ↗
Tony Elumelu Chairman of Heirs Holdings and of the United Bank for Africa
I will start by stating the obvious. No one here questions whether development is desirable. No one questions the inherent need to save lives and help others by giving. However, I believe that we need to rethink the ways in which we help others. We need to give from the perspective of empowering the recipient, instead of making them dependent on us.
Recorded Georgetown University, Washington DC, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, 12 May 2015 source ↗
Joe Lycett Comedian, television presenter and artist
Brummies have adopted the sense that we live in a shit-hole, but in terms of green space, culture and community, it’s unrivalled. It’s a calm and happy place; my heart rate drops when I get off the train from London. I say, kind of with tongue in cheek, but not that far in my cheek, that it’s the best city in the world.
Recorded The Observer / The Guardian, 7 December 2024 source ↗
Charlie Munger Vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, 1978–2023
I realized very early that non-egality would work better in the parts of the world I wanted to inhabit. What do I mean by non-egality? I mean John Wooden, when he was the number one basketball coach in the world. He just said to the bottom five players, “You don't get to play. You're sparring partners.” The top seven did all the playing.
Recorded USC Gould School of Law commencement, 2007, Speakola, 2007 source ↗

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