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Paul Allen has done so much in his lifetime. Philanthropy, the Experience Music Project, Vulcan, space travel initiatives, the Brain Institute, and has owned the Seahawks and the Trailblazers. It really has been a magnificent ride for the man. Paul Allen has been able to achieve so many things because of one thing: his relationship with a fellow named Bill Gates. Gates and Allen got rich as balls together. Money gives you so much freedom to explore.
You see, back in the day, there was no operating system that resembles what you are reading this blog on. User interface? Fuck that. Computers were for programmers; for nerds. Paul Allen and Bill Gates changed all that with their fledgling company, MicroSoft. Maybe you've heard of it? I thought so.
Like any autobiography, or biography in general, Idea Man goes all the way back to Paul Allen's childhood. The Allen family were not broke asses but weren't the same as the well heeled Gates family. Anyway, what I found the most interesting is that Paul's folks always supported what he wanted to explore. That, to me, is what is the most fascinating aspect of Mr. Allen: He is ALWAYS willing to explore what moves him. To me, that is super-rad.
Back to the story. Paul meets Bill very early on and, even though Paul is older, the two strike up a friendship that will last quite a while. The two have a love of technology, yes. But, what is striking is their differences. Bill Gates is analytical and a wicked talented programmer. Paul is the big thinker; seeing what could be and what will eventually come to exist. Paul Allen was the one who said, "why can't every person have a computer?" during a time when a computer could fill up the entire floor of a university building. Big ideas for the time that have definitely come to pass. Shit...I have a computer in my pocket during every minute of the day. Paul Allen thought of this first, folks!
The duo go on to found Microsoft. Most of this section of the book soured my perception of Mr. William Gates. There are adjectives that get thrown around about Bill: genius, visionary, blah blah blah. But, as Allen reflects back on those early years of success, one adjective comes to my mind: asshole. Bill Gates is a shrewd businessman. Often in business, that level of shrewd is misconstrued as assholism (can that be a new word?). I know that these days Gates is a super-philanthopist and that is awesome. Glad to see that, Bill.
Paul Allen eventually leaves Microsoft with bunches of stock that eventually gets him a net worth somewhere in the neighborhood of many small nations. This allows him freedom to explore. The human brain, outer space, rock and roll, football, basketball, yachts...etc. Paul Allen has had his fingers in so many interesting ventures it really is hard to keep track. In the book, it appears that Allen has trouble keeping track, too.
Idea Man is a pretty good read. Paul Allen is one man that is not afraid of risk. I read somewhere that he has lost many, many millions (like in the hundreds of millions) of dollars taking chances on what he views as worthwhile ideas. I love that level of risk taking. It's punk rock, Paul!
The section of the book regarding the purchase and running of the Trailblazers is friggin' hilarious. It's probably not meant to be, but it made me chuckle. If you are into professional basketball, I highly recommend at least reading this section of Idea Man.
Well, folks, that's Idea Man. Interesting life of a risk-taking, philanthropist explorer.
Paul Allen has done so much in his lifetime. Philanthropy, the Experience Music Project, Vulcan, space travel initiatives, the Brain Institute, and has owned the Seahawks and the Trailblazers. It really has been a magnificent ride for the man. Paul Allen has been able to achieve so many things because of one thing: his relationship with a fellow named Bill Gates. Gates and Allen got rich as balls together. Money gives you so much freedom to explore.You see, back in the day, there was no operating system that resembles what you are reading this blog on. User interface? Fuck that. Computers were for programmers; for nerds. Paul Allen and Bill Gates changed all that with their fledgling company, MicroSoft. Maybe you've heard of it? I thought so.
Like any autobiography, or biography in general, Idea Man goes all the way back to Paul Allen's childhood. The Allen family were not broke asses but weren't the same as the well heeled Gates family. Anyway, what I found the most interesting is that Paul's folks always supported what he wanted to explore. That, to me, is what is the most fascinating aspect of Mr. Allen: He is ALWAYS willing to explore what moves him. To me, that is super-rad.
Back to the story. Paul meets Bill very early on and, even though Paul is older, the two strike up a friendship that will last quite a while. The two have a love of technology, yes. But, what is striking is their differences. Bill Gates is analytical and a wicked talented programmer. Paul is the big thinker; seeing what could be and what will eventually come to exist. Paul Allen was the one who said, "why can't every person have a computer?" during a time when a computer could fill up the entire floor of a university building. Big ideas for the time that have definitely come to pass. Shit...I have a computer in my pocket during every minute of the day. Paul Allen thought of this first, folks!
The duo go on to found Microsoft. Most of this section of the book soured my perception of Mr. William Gates. There are adjectives that get thrown around about Bill: genius, visionary, blah blah blah. But, as Allen reflects back on those early years of success, one adjective comes to my mind: asshole. Bill Gates is a shrewd businessman. Often in business, that level of shrewd is misconstrued as assholism (can that be a new word?). I know that these days Gates is a super-philanthopist and that is awesome. Glad to see that, Bill.
Paul Allen eventually leaves Microsoft with bunches of stock that eventually gets him a net worth somewhere in the neighborhood of many small nations. This allows him freedom to explore. The human brain, outer space, rock and roll, football, basketball, yachts...etc. Paul Allen has had his fingers in so many interesting ventures it really is hard to keep track. In the book, it appears that Allen has trouble keeping track, too.Idea Man is a pretty good read. Paul Allen is one man that is not afraid of risk. I read somewhere that he has lost many, many millions (like in the hundreds of millions) of dollars taking chances on what he views as worthwhile ideas. I love that level of risk taking. It's punk rock, Paul!
The section of the book regarding the purchase and running of the Trailblazers is friggin' hilarious. It's probably not meant to be, but it made me chuckle. If you are into professional basketball, I highly recommend at least reading this section of Idea Man.
Well, folks, that's Idea Man. Interesting life of a risk-taking, philanthropist explorer.
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| Yes, this is Paul Allen's 'boat'. |
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