>A lot of times, when someone makes enough wealth or success in their lives, no matter how much of a ruthless &%$#@! they may have been achieving that wealth or success, they change their attitudes. Sometimes leaving a legacy can be an important motivating factor.<br /><br />There is social pressure among the mega-rich to provide both essential and lavish philanthropy. This existed with the Rockefellers and exists with the Gates, Turners, etc now. On one level it promotes social harmony (or grudging acceptance) and on another actual advancement. A rich guy with a goal is far more flexible than the government or church. The Gates Foundation has contributed, as of 2003, $295 million dollars in malaria research. Their yearly budget is more than all other malaria funding sources combined. Malaria kills more children than any other disease, having been eliminated in the developed world it was a low-priority disease for a long time until Uncle Bill threw his $$$ at it. <br /><br />And his Number Two is our space-daddy. 8)<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>