Virgin Galactic and Richard Branson

Something is so wrong isn’t it?

Nope, fine with me.

I've no idea how much Branson gives to charity, but if he wants to spend some of his fortune on space flight, more power to his elbow.

He went to the edge of space, he's not off looking for a planet to terraform. If I had £180,000 and was 20 (30?) years younger I'd be booking my slot.

Billions apparently, but bear in mind much of the money he spent was actually morally due to the tax man.

Ah, I see what you mean WWM2.

Silly egotistical man could have done so much more with his millions than go for a space trip

I'd like to fire him into a one-way rocket. Bet the Virgin employees who he didn't want to pay during the first lockdown feel the same way.

I suppose it’s his money and he can do what he likes with it just like we all do. How many give a tenth of their income to charity?

There have always been people who strive to push the boundaries or human endeavour.

Some discover penicillin or create life saving vaccines.

Others set up space taxi services to nowhere for bored billionaires.

That's exactly it MoorlandMooner, he is appealing to the millionaire market and he knows there will be demand. He's not daft.

£180,000 for an hour long flight during which you can 'float around and look out of the window'.

Or you can get the same view up on the net from the comfort of your sofa, trouser the cash and not screw up the environment.

I think it is disgusting how many millions were spent to satisfy the whim of one man. I doubt he funded it entirely himself. The money could have been better spent.

MoorlandMooner - I’m voting for you for Prime Minister. Well said, my friend. Space taxis ????

We could probably provide clean drinking water for the whole world with that sort of money. I don’t understand Branson. It’s almost as if he has some kind of death wish. He just lives off the fact that people, me included, still think of him as a hippy’ish guy from our youth.

Infinity2

MoorlandMooner - I’m voting for you for Prime Minister. Well said, my friend. Space taxis ????

Thanks Infinity2, you've made my day.

I wouldn't want to be PM though. It would interfere with my important schedule of faffing about in the garden, drinking tea and talking to the dog.

MayBee70

We could probably provide clean drinking water for the whole world with that sort of money. I don’t understand Branson. It’s almost as if he has some kind of death wish. He just lives off the fact that people, me included, still think of him as a hippy’ish guy from our youth.

I agree with you 100% Maybee. I said to Mr M earlier that the whole world could have clean water for that.
Branson does appear to think that people think he’s wonderful. He obviously doesn’t know what we thought about him refusing to pay his staff when Covid struck.

It`s not good for the planet though is it.
I can`t imagine the amount of polution that`s emitted from planes etc
Just wrong on all levels imo.

Richard Branson boasts about his charitable good works but spends billions on himself.
What a monumental immoral waste of money is space travel.

This is just another business move and also the natural progress of times

It is clear there is enough demand for this service and he is trying to become the first in this market niche

As for the suggestions to donate money instead for starving kids, clean water, etc, i agree with you but it is not that simple.
It reminds me of when you ask a child: what to do when we run out of money?
The child says: print more!

How about bureaucracy, corruption, etc.
Starvation is a symptom of the type of management/government in the area.
Why those governments are not doing more for their kids?

You know slightly off track I am always amazed at how high earners, top cats, spend all their obscene salaries. If I had £100,000 a year I would be more than happy and not know how to spend it all. Some get multiple times that. What do they spend it on? In Branson’s case we know the answer.

25avalon

Great point!
What is little cash for somebody it is a fortune for others

Perhaps he could have used some of his cash to keep some of the staff he made redundant in jobs, instead he begged for government support. Just so he could have an expensive jolly!
metro.co.uk/2020/05/05/virgin-atlantic-makes-3000-workers-redundant-fights-survival-12657264/

25Avalon

I suppose it’s his money and he can do what he likes with it just like we all do. How many give a tenth of their income to charity?

But the point is , it isn’t all his money.

Some of it is ours.

Sometimes things aren't as straightforward as they seem.

qz.com/2032323/virgin-galactic-saved-richard-bransons-airlines-in-the-pandemic/

As long as he stays there it’s fine by me. He could take a few more with him.