Part of what makes the Forty Billion idea work in my mind is that it is not just Alex's personal money and that NO ONE actually knows how much money any of the SEELE Council members have. The reason is that, fearing that he would become the kind of rich SOB he's always despised and unknown to practically anyone not on the SEELE Council, all of the council's money (both what's left of the original 40B "start-up" money and any later profits) are under the control of the cyberspace hands of Edwin Jarvis, seeing as the AI is based upon the morals and personality of someone Alex had always respected.
It was also Ed who came up with the idea of seeking out like-minded individuals who wanted to make a postive mark on the world and only laked the financial means to do so. This seeking out and initial founding of the SEELE Council original members was called Project EVANGELION - Project GOOD NEWS, in other words. Since then, the council - barring the aforemention 'Struve Conspiracy' and Biwa Mishima's little arsenal splurge - has been following the guidelines of five quotes of businessmen that Alex had actually respected and that are included in the SEELE Charter:
“Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its
possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the
community.” – Andrew Carnegie
“I believe the power to make money is a gift of God …
to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind. Having been endowed with the gift I possess, I believe
it is my duty to make money and still more money and to use the money I make
for the good of my fellow man according to the dictates of my conscience.”
– John D. Rockefeller
“The
desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable,
provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a
friend to humanity.” – P.T. Barnum
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter
to me ... Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful... that's
what matters to me.” – Steven Paul Jobs
“Disobedience is the vehicle of progress.”
– John McAfee, Explaining why he did not follow the normal rules of business to
reporter Josh Quittner in 1992
It was also Ed who came up with the idea of seeking out like-minded individuals who wanted to make a postive mark on the world and only laked the financial means to do so. This seeking out and initial founding of the SEELE Council original members was called Project EVANGELION - Project GOOD NEWS, in other words. Since then, the council - barring the aforemention 'Struve Conspiracy' and Biwa Mishima's little arsenal splurge - has been following the guidelines of five quotes of businessmen that Alex had actually respected and that are included in the SEELE Charter:
“Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its
possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the
community.” – Andrew Carnegie
“I believe the power to make money is a gift of God …
to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind. Having been endowed with the gift I possess, I believe
it is my duty to make money and still more money and to use the money I make
for the good of my fellow man according to the dictates of my conscience.”
– John D. Rockefeller
“The
desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable,
provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a
friend to humanity.” – P.T. Barnum
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter
to me ... Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful... that's
what matters to me.” – Steven Paul Jobs
“Disobedience is the vehicle of progress.”
– John McAfee, Explaining why he did not follow the normal rules of business to
reporter Josh Quittner in 1992
“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
“They opened up a can’a dumbass!” – Jon Stewart regarding Fox News, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.” – Harvey Fierstein
“They opened up a can’a dumbass!” – Jon Stewart regarding Fox News, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.” – Harvey Fierstein