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Billions of reasons for rich people to dream big

Jason Tin

by Jason Tin

29 Mar 05:55am

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Filed under: Billionaire, Clive Palmer, Gina Rinehart, James Cameron, Millionaires

73 comments

It was at the bottom of the ocean that James Cameron felt alone, distant from humanity. But it was there that he was, perhaps, closer to us than he had ever been.

The world's coolest sub comes with '60s walkie talkies

Earlier this week, the acclaimed director became the first person to solo-dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench - one of the darkest, quietest places on the planet.

As the world applauded Cameron, billionaire Clive Palmer was holding court at a press conference in Brisbane, speaking about spooks and conspiracy theories and strange political follies. There were no submarines, blueprints or audacious concept drawings behind him. Just a man who had made enough money to say whatever he liked whenever the mood struck.

Men like James Cameron are a rarity - millionaires who cling to boyhood dreams of terrifying depths, snow-capped peaks, magnificent machines and endless space.

Loud and eccentric, they conquer our fears and keep alive the notion that exploration - even if it’s just for the sake of exploration - is noble and pure. Their feats remind us that the world is vast, that we are small and that, despite our tallest skyscrapers and greatest technological marvels, there is still mystery. Something left unspoiled.

Envy gives way to awe when the wealthy use their freedom and fortunes to nudge humankind that little bit further ahead.

In turbulent times, the simplicity and elegance of a man or woman fighting to climb higher or dive deeper than anyone before them can be an incredible source of inspiration.

So why are millionaires like James Cameron or Howard Hughes in such short supply? How do these children, who grow up zooming around with ice-cream buckets on their heads and toy airplanes in their hands, forget these dreams the minute they acquire the wealth to make them real?

Later this year, Sir Richard Branson plans to dive to the depths of the Atlantic and reach the Puerto Rican trench.

Let’s hope his journey inspires a few more to attempt the extraordinary.

There is something genuinely exciting about a person who has the means to live out their days in peace and comfort, but chooses danger and adventure.

It would be sad to think that among all those people with the power to do whatever they pleased, only a handful were willing to tackle the fantastic voyages we’ve all dreamed about.

Undoubtedly, many of them are happy to spend their days furiously gobbling steaks and drowning in wine. They explore only hotel receptions and resorts, traversing lobbies and taking shelter beneath the intricately-woven roofs of exotic pool bars.

They’re content. Their legacy is a number. The greater that number, the more important their legacy. They leave rows of zeros for their children to squabble over, squander and burn. Palatial sprawls welcome the envious, who dance and feast and whisper cruel things while the music blares.

But it is their undeniable right and good fortune to live that way. No one can truly resent them for it. Nor should we insist they spend their money any other way.

We cannot, and should not, demand that the Palmers and Rineharts of the world leap into submarines or hop into supersonic jets.

But we can hope that there are, among their ranks, men and women daring enough to do so.

Most commented

73 comments

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    • Emma says:

      05:37am | 29/03/12

      Can you see a Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian getting curious and excited about science and wanting to explore the oceans or climb Mount Everest? Money allows you to do it, but some people are happy to just slap on a kilo of make up, have their manicures and let others admire them. After all, you cannot wear heels and skimpy dresses when you climb a mountain, right?

      Reply

    • Andrew says:

      09:09am | 29/03/12

      Is that a challenge?

    • Emma says:

      11:02am | 29/03/12

      Andrew

      Please go for it but dont forget to take pictures!

    • Scotchfinger says:

      11:03am | 29/03/12

      Paris would probably think ‘climbing Mt Everest’ was a description of her last sexual encounter with a black man…

    • Emma says:

      11:33am | 29/03/12

      Scotchfinger

      So you DO fall into the discussed group of “I am not racist, BUT black men have bigger….” people.

    • Scotchfinger says:

      12:00pm | 29/03/12

      Emma, more envy than racism…

    • Craig says:

      05:59am | 29/03/12

      In Australia it appears that to become wealthy one must also become incredibly self-centred, bigoted and repulsive. Exceptions like Dick Smith only highlight the rule.

      Fortunately this appears to not be a universal requirement.

      Reply

    • Manav D says:

      12:06pm | 29/03/12

      You’re right. Power is accumulated by the greedy. The good and righteous are trampled underfoot.

    • Mel says:

      12:45pm | 29/03/12

      I actually Dick Smith is the worst of a bad mob! I just don’t buy his act. Or his overpriced supermarket products either for that matter!

    • Brocman says:

      05:38pm | 29/03/12

      I guess it’s up to Clive what he chooses to do with his tone and money. I am sure he will give the opinions of the punch due consideration. I would argue that the vast employment and distribution of money Clive’s endeavors produce do advance humanity.

    • adam says:

      06:28am | 29/03/12

      To hell with fantastic voyages and pushing humankind further forward! Do the important stuff. Where’s my hovercar and robot butler? And when you’re done there, giz light sabers, make mine one of those sith ones. ta

      Reply

    • VVS says:

      07:41am | 29/03/12

      Hovercars? I’ll take a hoverboard over a hovercar any day!

    • Chris L says:

      08:28am | 29/03/12

      Gimme fully immersive VR and the rest be damned! Won’t need expensive equipment to explore watery depths or dizzying heights, just a plug to the brain will do.

      Recall. Recall. Recall.

    • Nick says:

      06:28am | 29/03/12

      I would think neither Clive Palmer or Gina Rinehart would have any trouble reaching the bottom of the deepest ocean trench were they dropped from a boat.

      Reply

    • Fiddler says:

      06:58am | 29/03/12

      I reckon they’d both float

    • sir ronald bradnam says:

      07:40am | 29/03/12

      Better watch out for any Japanese Whaling research ships being chased in the area.

    • Joan says:

      07:52am | 29/03/12

      Nick and Fiddler - just two small minds fed on diet of Big Loser reality TV fodder. Try Mega Structures and Mega Buildings - watch engineers, workers, architects work together and billionaire money make the impossible become reality . Clive and Gina have not become billionaires using gold rush pick and shovel   but by supporting and buying world best equipment, engineering methods.  Reality watchers just watch the run of mill pick and shovelers and think that is world standard.

    • M says:

      08:31am | 29/03/12

      Gina only became a billionaire because of the genetic lottery.

    • Chris L says:

      08:31am | 29/03/12

      You guys have upset Joan with your billionaire bashing. Go back to doing something constructive like peasant bashing!

    • thatmosis says:

      08:57am | 29/03/12

      I agree with Joan , just envy in the case of Nick and Fiddler, just wannabes that will never be and letting the world see it in print. Billionaires are the ones that spend the money opening up mines, with their money and producing wealth for the county and wages for the miriade of workers they employ.
        So some clown has dived to the bottom of the ocean, why and what good has it really done except to give that person the means to become a millionaire and be scorned by Nick and Fiddler. Its been done and how many people are going to benefit from this, a few select few whilst mining magnates profit thousands and countries. I know which one i would hitch my wagon to. Its okay being the one to climb the highest mountain and plumb the depths of the oceans but to use this to maligned Billionaires smacks of an unsophiscated mind finding excuses as to why they never became billionairs and taking it out on everybody else. Get over it , get a life and a real job and maybe through hard work and a lot of nouse you too can become a person others will envy and despise at the same time.

    • Scotchfinger says:

      11:42am | 29/03/12

      Yes why are they both so fat?
      Seems both are unhappy despite their riches; perhaps a collective guilt over raping the land…

      James Cameron should feel guilt also for blowing so much money on Avatar, which also blew - chunks, that it.

    • Emma says:

      12:11pm | 29/03/12

      Scotchfinger

      Yes why are they both so fat?

      If I was rich, I would employ a good looking man to 24/7 tell me how great I look. He has to adore me more with every snickers I eat.

    • Scotchfinger says:

      12:58pm | 29/03/12

      I’m looking for a new job, and I like snickers also!

    • Joan says:

      07:00am | 29/03/12

      Just cos people don’t shout from roof tops about doing charitable deeds doesn’t mean they don’t do.  You haven’t done your research of Palmer and bag the man . You could look at the Chris Uhlman and Clive Palmer recent interview 7.30.  and find out how he spends some of his money.

      Reply

    • Kbear says:

      07:23am | 29/03/12

      Ummm he is not talking about charity but exploration (but I guess you could argue that it is a charity to humanity).

      I believe he also said “We cannot, and should not, demand that the Palmers and Rineharts of the world leap into submarines or hop into supersonic jets.

      But we can hope that there are, among their ranks, men and women daring enough to do so.”

    • Stockinbingal roo says:

      09:43am | 29/03/12

      The greatest charity is anonymous.

    • Emma says:

      11:06am | 29/03/12

      Stockinbingal roo

      Lets say its more humble to give anonymously. But I guess charities take your money if you go all public about it or not. Probably even better if you do so others might follow.

      I am always irritated when we admire how rich people give to charities. But if you give 10 dollars of your salary or he gives 10000 of his - its probably the same percentage.

    • Economist says:

      11:40am | 29/03/12

      Roo, disagree, nothing wrong with announcing that you’re giving to charity if it raises the profile of said charity and makes other guilty for not giving i.e. Gates, Buffet, Lady Di, Bono etc.

    • Mike says:

      04:28pm | 29/03/12

      Economist, those who give publicly in such a fashion is behaviour akin to the pharisees in the Bible, who used to make such a grand gesture of donating money and praying in public so that others could say how great and righteous they were (Matthew 6:2 to 6:5).

      It makes everyone else who is NOT as financially rich as them feel inadequate, that they cannot give such large amounts.

    • Economist says:

      05:18pm | 29/03/12

      Thanks Mike for the biblical reference, we’re going to have a difference of opinion of this issue.. However,doesn’t the Pope regularly announce what the Catholic Church is doing? There are plenty of religious organisations that are happy to talk about what they do for the community.

    • shep says:

      07:30am | 29/03/12

      Dear god .... what petty jealous drivel.  James Cameron is doing nothing more than pleasuring himself in his own tedious way.  We have the capacity to go to the depths, film everything, pick crap up and return to the top with no-one’s life at risk.  He just chooses to do so, coz we wants to, its his thing. 

      Deriding the ultra-wealthy because they choose not to is sanctimonius tripe. Not pretending to be adventurers and explorers and making shit loads of money is their thing.

      Now deriding the Hiltons and the Kardashians, that’s a whole other matter, deriding those oxygen thieves should be compulsory.

      Reply

    • Kate says:

      08:03am | 29/03/12

      Completely agree - why isn’t there a like button?

      Can’t believe more people haven’t replied in this vein.

    • Kate says:

      08:03am | 29/03/12

      Completely agree - why isn’t there a like button?

      Can’t believe more people haven’t replied in this vein.

    • Chris L says:

      08:46am | 29/03/12

      There’s no shame in leading a safe, vanilla existence. Also, I didn’t see a great deal of this derision you’re talking about apart from mentioning Clive’s conspiracy theories, which are fair game for having been public and stupid.

      Besides, if you’re happy to encourage people to deride the Hiltons and Kardashians what criteria do you use to spare the likes of Clive?

    • M says:

      09:13am | 29/03/12

      What is Kardashian famous for besides being in a sex film with some 2 bit rapper?

    • shep says:

      09:53am | 29/03/12

      “Safe Vanilla Existence”  oooh cheap shot ... what next - white bread middle class, suburban? - god why does everyone have to be so bloody cutting edge and bag anyone who isn’t.  A simple life should not be undervalued.

      Surely you would have to agree that neither Clive or Gina are trading on their bodies for celebrity and wealth!!  They are big, swaggering and staggeringly wealthy, and throw both their weight and money around….
      The only difference between them and James Cameron is they are not pretending to be some sort of new-age Marco Polo.  Cameron is a poseur was my point.  As are both the Hiltons and the Kardashians, at least he contributes to the art world.

      So sorry if I offended .... go right ahead with your support and adoration of the air-heads of the world, they have contributed to the worldwide increase in handbag, eyelash extension and cheap perfume sales .... truely worthy endeavours….

    • adam says:

      10:15am | 29/03/12

      M, not that it adds much to her CV, she was also one of P.Hiltons frenemies for a bit there

    • Chris L says:

      10:45am | 29/03/12

      @Shep - You got offended at the words “safe” and “vanilla”?! What about the part where I said there’s no shame in that? Was that somehow offensive too?

      You’re out there swinging wildly while, at the same time, decrying your perception that we’re having a go at your beloved billionaires. See any irony in that?

    • Tubesteak says:

      07:37am | 29/03/12

      I can’t wait for the doco on this. I hope there is one. Some deep sea exploration fascinates me.

      Maybe a lot of them don’t do it because it’s time consuming and they just want to do something else. Each to their own.

      Reply

    • Drafnel says:

      09:26am | 29/03/12

      James Cameron, the famous film director, descends to the bottom of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench with lights and high-def 3D cameras on his sub. Ooh yeah, there’s gonna be a doco for sure.

      Eight years of planning, building and testing. I’d say at least 100, maybe 300 jobs were created during the various phases of the project, from scientists and engineers right through to deckhands and catering assistants. It’s great to see - much better than spending it all on a diamond-encrusted mobile phone case and solid-gold taps in the bathroom.

    • M says:

      07:52am | 29/03/12

      Richard Branson is a hero of mine for exactly this reason. He uses his wealth to have fun, and to challenge himself. The spirit of exploration is something that should be encouraged in society today, instead of rampant consumerism.

      Reply

    • Alexei says:

      12:08pm | 29/03/12

      ^ This. Totally agree. agree with drafnel too.
      Personally i have no objection to people with loads of cash and a bit of nouse having a go at something. I challenge any of the haters to tell me they wouldnt do the same things if they had piles of cash.
      In this day and age, if someone rich were to say ‘I’m going to find a cure for cancer, you know, just for fun.” you’d tell me that wouldnt benefit the human race?

    • Stu says:

      07:54am | 29/03/12

      Great article best I’ve read on the Punch

      Reply

    • stephen says:

      08:06am | 29/03/12

      But James Cameron is an artist and not only a rich one ... a pretty damn good one, too.
      Isn’t that the difference, that he wanted to make films, and he became so good at it that many people wanted to see them, and a studio picked him up, and decided to let cinemas charge a fee for us to sit in a theatre and see his talent, and hey presto ... he became rich enough to dive to the bottom of the sea ?

      Palmer and Rinehart are very rich, but I’ll bet they are boring.
      I mean, how interesting would it be to strike up a conversation about dirt ... sorry, I’ll retract that, cause when it rains, it turns into mud.

      Reply

    • Simmo says:

      08:53am | 29/03/12

      Perhaps we could throw Clive Palmer into the Maraiana Trench and save us alla headache….

      Reply

    • M says:

      10:02am | 29/03/12

      Won’t that raise sea levels even further?

      I say throw him and Gina into orbit. Their combined mass should create enough gravitational attraction to start sweeping up all that space junk.

    • Cynicised says:

      11:21am | 29/03/12

      Perhaps we can call the new moons Pulchra and Pulchro (Fat Woman and Fat Man in Latin)? Bahaha!

    • The Badger says:

      09:13am | 29/03/12

      “There is something genuinely exciting about a person who has the means to live out their days in peace and comfort, but chooses danger and adventure.”

      Clive and Gina want to live out their days with a pork chop in each hand.

      Reply

    • Robert Smith says:

      09:34am | 29/03/12

      I see poor people contributing to society way more then James Cameron. He spent millions on a lead weight that drops him to the bottom of the ocean. Some would call that stupid. It did not help humanity at all. But it does give a good reason for Governments to lower taxes as the poorer people are they just work their 9-5 and no time to for fill dreams and create.I think the Australian society needs a boost in salary’s where there is an abundance.Where we can help poorer nations out. Use our money for massive investments and help people follow their dreams. This labor government and the greens hate people getting richer. You think swan would of figured that out by now with massive falls in tax revenues. The more money we earn the better off the world is.

      Reply

    • Al says:

      10:05am | 29/03/12

      Reply - I guess for some reason you don’t consider the wages paid to the employees who built the ‘lead weight that drops him to the bottom of the ocean’ or the people who ran the mission etc to be a contribution to society or helping humanity.
      As an alternative I could ask, what contribution to society have you made that is different from what he has done. (If you look into it he has also made contributions to various charities etc, well in excess of what you do I am sure).
      Forced wealth redistribution (which is what you seem to be proposing) DOES NOT WORK. It only encourages those who can achieve to not do so as their is no reward in it.
      It is NOT a governments responsibility to help people to fufill/follow their dreams. That is the responsibility of the individual. Otherwise the government should be helping me take over the world!

    • Jason says:

      10:19am | 29/03/12

      Robert Smith you have no clue. Scientific research had lead to the betterment of human society in hundreds if not millions of ways that you should know by now.

    • Chris Richardson says:

      09:40am | 29/03/12

      I suspect millionaires who do or don’t seek these adventures just represent the bell curve of all of us. Most people will not move beyond their comfort zones. The few of us who do are the risk takers and adventurers. If you happen to also be a multi millionaire then you’re in a position where not even the sky (or the deepest ocean) is your limit.

      Reply

    • Richard the Lionheart says:

      11:07am | 29/03/12

      For my age, I too am an adventurer though albeit without a backpack and with some of the comforts of home. Once you have a roof over your head, TV and small car we can all explore the more scary places on the planet. We spread the money around and tip generously. I did read the submersable was designed and built in Australia. Follow those dreams.

    • Emma says:

      11:36am | 29/03/12

      Richard the Lionheart

      I am with you. I like adventure but I am not going anywhere where there is no flushing toilet. Thats my personal limit smile

    • Cynicised says:

      10:39am | 29/03/12

      Unfortunately, the world is full of dream killers, Jason. (Another great piece,btw.)  I agree it’s fabulous that some people have the means and the will to follow theirs and to take us along on the ride. Exploration of the last earthly frontiers, then extension out into space is part of fulfilling our destiny as a species. Billionaires like Cameron and Branson are following in the footsteps of our forebears like Columbus and Magellan, but instead of relying on patronage to achieve their goals are supplying the funds themselves, as well as taking the risks. It’s magnificent stuff and one can never have too much magnificence in the world.

      Combine this with the charitable philanthropy of Gates and Buffet, then the image of billionaires is far more palatable, with some notable exceptions. No-one should have such an enormous fortune without giving something back to the world at large. I’m sure many do perform worthwhile works unheralded,
      though - at least I hope so.

      Reply

    • Lucas says:

      11:58am | 29/03/12

      It is not just limited to Gates and Buffett, who are giving away huge proportions of their wealth to make the lives better of the poorest people on the planet.

      http://givingpledge.org/ - list of billionaires who have publically pledged to give away the MAJORITY of their wealth (not a token percentage) to a charitable cause.

      I’m not sure if billionaires really care if they are liked or not. But if we actually hold them in high esteem and celebrate the fantastic things they do (charity, research, employment opportunities) then surely there is more incentive for them to keep doing it.

    • wearestardust says:

      12:03pm | 29/03/12

      I agree, Cynicised.  At least about the first para.  Indeed I think you’ve mis-nicknamed yourself.  I think SpaceShipOne I was a great achievement and it will be interesting where SpaceShipTwo takes us.

    • Cynicised says:

      02:08pm | 29/03/12

      @wearestardust Hah, well the nick refers to how I occasionally feel after reading articles here. No, I’m not a complete cynic and this kind of achievement and endeavor only reinforces it. smile

      @Lucas. That’s good to hear and I agree with your sentiment.

    • Scotchfinger says:

      03:47pm | 29/03/12

      @Cynicised, you can’t be serious! You suggest megalomaniacs like Branson and James Cameron are some sort of visionaries out to better the human race? James Cameron is a wealthy film maker; Branson is a mega-wealthy entrepreneur. So they splash their cash about in flashy style; doesn’t make them Nelson Mandela in my eyes. I repeat: are you taking the piss, ‘Cynicised’ (or perhaps you have shares in Virgin?)

    • Scotchfinger says:

      04:07pm | 29/03/12

      Listen to you all! How hard is it to give money away to a tax haven? If these people cared so much they would be looking after their employees, paying them good wages, investing in sustainable industries, carbon-neutral development etc etc. Throwing a few gold coins to the hoi-polloi just makes them feel good. Why are they wealthy? Because they make money off other people’s sweat!

    • Cynicised says:

      05:00pm | 29/03/12

      You can’t be serious Scotchfinger. Geez, how to be a “glass half empty” type. Can you not see that these guys “splashing their cash” has benefits for humanity? And pray tell, how does being wealthy equate to being “megalomaniacs?” You also realize that making money from legitimate business is not illegal, nor is it immoral, especially when those businesses employ many, many people?  Cameron and Branson, (even Gates and Buffett) hardly qualify as evil.

      As for Palmer and Rhinehart, they may be questionable .LOL!

    • Cynicised says:

      05:05pm | 29/03/12

      And no, I have no shares in Virgin. But it’s not a bad idea. Can you recommend a good broker?  smile

    • Jane2 says:

      10:58am | 29/03/12

      There is a big difference between James Cameron & Clive Palmer.

      James Cameron’s millions are in the bank. The only way he can lose those millions if he spends then unwisely although thanks to royalities and directing contracts he should have a nice continual flow of money coming in.

      Clive Palmers wealth is almost entirely tied up in a big whole in teh ground. The value of the big hole in tehground can and does rely entirely on what other powers decide to do with polict and what an international market does with the price of the minerals he pulls out.  If the price for teh minerals plunge, so does the value of Clive Palmers. If the government decides to increase the taxes the business pays down goes the value of Clive Palmer.

      Clive Palmer is fighting to hold onto what he has built, James Cameron is spending what is already banked.

      It is wrong to compare the two.

      Reply

    • Fred says:

      11:47am | 29/03/12

      I’d wrap myself in cotton wool. Knowing my luck I’d drop dead if I got rich.

      I think the final frontier, or the most important one at the moment, is population control.

      Reply

    • Brizben says:

      11:57am | 29/03/12

      I definitely admire Cameron more. I did not know until this week that he was such an explorer. I hope he makes many more movies and makes loads more money.

      Reply

    • Tom Fairgo says:

      12:03pm | 29/03/12

      “But it is their undeniable right and good fortune to live that way. No one can truly resent them for it. Nor should we insist they spend their money any other way. “

      Spend some time in 3rd world conditions and you may rethink this statement.  The fact is that people with large stock piles of wealth in real terms have a stock pile of food, shelter, water and human labour.  To simply ignore the deplorable conditions that the majority of the world live in is outrageous, short sighted and frankly disappointing.

      There is no shortage of people in society that if in the same position as a bilionaire (livin it up) would redistribute their wealth to help the poorest of the poor.

      Reply

    • HappyCynic says:

      01:28pm | 29/03/12

      “There is no shortage of people in society that if in the same position as a bilionaire (livin it up) would redistribute their wealth to help the poorest of the poor.”

      That’s bullsh*t and if you don’t know that it’s bullsh*t then you’re either naive or you you don’t know any humans.  I could successfully argue that there isn’t a more selfish species on this planet, it’s one of the reasons we are such a successful species, even our selflessness is based on a seflish need.

      There are, admittedly, a few incredibly rare examples of truly selfless people but in all my long life I’ve only met 2 such examples and I’ve met many people from many different walks of life.

    • jase says:

      06:36pm | 29/03/12

      And how is that a wealthy persons problem Tom? Just because someone has money, does not automatically make them responsible for everyone else.

    • amy says:

      04:02pm | 29/03/12

      guess it kind of suits james cameron

      what with that movie “the abyss” and those opening scenes of titanic

      Reply

    • the aussie invader says:

      05:33pm | 29/03/12

      With the rich , and the Liberals, its a race to the bottom.
      They are sick of being at the top and the race to the top!

      Reply

    • quesling quomodo from queensland says:

      05:36pm | 29/03/12

      Your comment:if the rich think big, then why do the Liberals think small??

      Reply

    • Gilcarnes says:

      10:22am | 18/10/12

      I saw you visited our blog truhog blog frog & I came over for a visit.I just wanted to say Amen sister to this post!  My son has aspergers and I’m always dealing with schools, teachers, sunday school teachers, etc.  Things are a lot better at school, but for years I always got the looks from others that it was always my fault my son was acting a certain way.  Mom’s just need a break.  We do the best we can with what we have and we don’t have all the answers smile

      Reply
 
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Superman needs saving

Superman needs saving

Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more

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