Bill Gates playing bridge

I wish someone had told me how clever a billionaire can be

“I wish someone had told me” is a series of posts that feed into our inquisitive nature at CN&CO. Each week we hear from someone in our network about something interesting or surprising that’s recently happened or occurred to them – or lessons they learnt. These blogs are a way to pay it forward and form part of CN&CO’s belief that the world can be a better place – and we all have a responsibility to make it so. This week’s post is by Carel.

Day whatever of lockdown. Tensions are running high. The world increasingly seems a crazy place, with fear and anger demanding more space than they deserve. And so, I was particularly happy to come across a tweet by Melinda Gates which, in turn, put me into a few lekker book recommendations by her husband – of books to read and things to do at home.

While some conspiracy theorists think that Bill and Melinda’s main aim is take away many of our liberties, it seems to me that, even if you believe that, they are doing a whole lot of good along the way – eradicating diseases, donating money to international organisations that protect the vulnerable. And so, I am garteful to them and their foundation. Plus, any man who reads – and plays bridge – can’t be all that bad 🙂

As many of you know, I try to play bridge at least once a week – and while I am not nearly as good as my partners (as I have mentioned in a previous blog) I find bridge great for the mind and the soul.

As I do love reading, I have bought a few books on Bill’s list and I hope you do to. And that you join him and me, in playing bridge!

Best of luck to us all as we try to navigate the world – especially during this rather crazy time.

Here are Bill’s recommendations: 5 summer books and other things to do at home

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Carel is an investor in people and businesses, believing that 1+1 = (at least) 22. Working with a few basic concepts – best encapsulated in his believe that unless we are dead, anything is possible – Carel aims to build long-term sustainable value with like-minded individuals and companies, while having (a lot of!) fun.