A Hodgepodge for the Hungry Mind.

Few partnerships have shaped modern global philanthropy as profoundly as that between Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Two entrepreneurial giants, they came to embody a model of corporate leadership in which commercial success and philanthropic ambition reinforced one another. Their shared legacy extends far beyond the businesses they built. Yet when Buffett quietly excluded the Gates Foundation from the latest chapter of his historic giving, the significance of the decision la

The invisible cargo of the Mayflower was a precious intangible asset — an idea. It was the small candle whose light, once kindled, could ignite thousands more. Its flame crossed the Atlantic almost unnoticed, yet it carried far more than the hopes and beliefs of a handful of English Separatists. In fact it even outgrew the American project. The candle embodies the essence of a human spirit that may lead to the better versions of ourselves.

We've landed in the era of the absurd idea of winning and losing as good vs. bad. The reality is, more often than not, the loss of victory in the win and the blessing found in the disappointment, as Whistler's Mother taught us. Her icon is engraved in our American DNA; but her lesson seems forgotten. Article by Rik Raats —the fool who practices the pen in an attempt to process reality.

We are all, from time to time, homesick for ourselves. It's part of being pilgrims, whether we choose to be one or not.

Margo Raats Concert, Brixton, London, April 7 2026

Has the aviation industry lost its magic? Or are we just overwhelmed?

Article by Rik Raats How Old Gems Can Oftern Surpass Startups —There is a specific kind of alchemy required to look at a "dusty" legacy and see a diamond. True entrepreneurial greatness often isn't about inventing something from thin air; it’s about recognizing the hidden lifeblood in an "olden vehicle" and refueling it with a modern vision. The Syndicate for the "Responsible" Few Government employees found their way to affordable insurance by this syndicate association perky

Yes, It’s St. Patrick’s Day — and This Year I Wildly Tribute this Celebration to the Reigning Irish Cathedral of Streaming: All Hail Saoirse Ronan.