Carl Icahn: Get Rich Off Natural Stupidity

Posted by admin on Saturday, October 24, 2015

Carl Icahn in a play on words saying he studies poorly run businesses to correct those errors and reverse them in order to make money rather than looking for smart, well run companies. Carl Icahn said:
 

 

“Some people get rich studying artificial intelligence. Me, I make money studying natural stupidity” — Carl Icahn

 

 

In this quote, Carl Icahn is contrasting different ways that people make money in business and investing. He acknowledges that some individuals get wealthy by studying and applying artificial intelligence or advanced technologies.

However, Icahn implies that his own approach is to make money by studying and taking advantage of “natural stupidity” – meaning the inherent human tendencies towards irrational behavior, poor decision making, lack of foresight, greed and other faults in judgment.

Icahn seems to be suggesting that he profits from identifying situations where other people or organizations are acting foolishly or against their own best interests due to stupidity.

His comment implies a somewhat cynical view that opportunities exist to profit from the weaknesses and mistakes of others rather than just from supporting technological progress.

Carl Icahn: Laws Caused Income Inequality

Posted by admin on Friday, October 23, 2015

Carl Icahn Money Quotation saying that government and politicians wrote and passed laws that lead to income inequality, but refuse to legislate it now. Carl Icahn said:
 

 

“Politicians argue that government should not interfere with the ‘business judgment’, of our companies and, therefore they cannot pass laws to encourage ‘income equality.’ … the sad fact is that the government has actually passed many laws that have brought about ‘income inequality'” — Carl Icahn

 

 

In this quote, Carl Icahn is criticizing the argument made by some politicians that the government should not interfere with business decisions or pass laws aimed at encouraging income equality. Icahn acknowledges that on the surface, this stance seems to promote less government interference in the free market.

However, he then points out the hypocrisy by stating that in reality, the government has already passed numerous laws over time that have directly contributed to rising income inequality between the wealthy and ordinary workers.

Icahn appears to be implying that if politicians are going to defer to business judgment and not enact equality-promoting laws, they should also repeal existing legislation that has skewed the system to benefit some corporate interests and executives over average employees.

Overall, the quote suggests Icahn believes the government cannot claim neutrality on this issue since it has actively shaped outcomes through prior lawmaking.

Birthday: February 17, 1889 – Death: November 29, 1974