More Bad Billionaire Advice

The Internet has a weird obsession with billionaires. Especially in the entrepreneurship and personal finance space. Anything Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos says is taken as gospel — unless it involves vaccines, vegan diets, or Lizzo music.

Today’s article debunks two more pieces of bad billionaire advice.

1. Protestant Work Ethic, “Become A Plumber,” And Other BS

If you and I were sitting across the table from one another, we could have a nuanced and personal discussion.

In a one-sided conversation (like answering a TV interview question or posting something online) your room for misinterpretation grows alongside your audience.

This is why many celebrities in speak in generic, crowd-pleasing statements.

Warren Buffett, who owns no index funds, will happily tell you that you are smarter and more successful than him if you simply buy-and-hold the S&P 500. And billionaire Michael Bloomberg recommends not taking bathroom breaks at work if you want to be successful.

“Work hard,” “Never stop learning,” and “Become a plumber” are all inoffensive pieces of advice. Yet no billionaire actually does these things.

Kevin O’Leary, who recommends becoming a plumber or construction worker, made the…