Slashdot Mirror
Indian Tycoon Sets Balloon Flight Record
GillBates0 writes "The BBC is reporting that Vijaypat Singhania, a textile tycoon, has set a new world record for the highest hot air balloon flight. The 67-year-old took off from Mumbai, India in a 48m(160ft) balloon and flew to a height of 21,290m (69,852ft) breaking the earlier record of 19,811m(64,997ft)."
so what would _YOU_ do if you had a gajillion dollars?
Buy a Porsche..?
I'd bet he already has a few of those..
perl -e 'printf("%x!\n",49153)'
"This goes to show to the world that we are not bullock cart drivers, but we can compete against the best of the world." Aren't Singhania's one of the richest families in India? Money can do anything.
Make your computer faster: rm -rf
Why does someone always come up with this argument? I think it's very much possible that he's doing it because he's passionate about ballooning and may get some enjoyment out of setting a record. In the same way that people climb mountains, cycle around the world or collect belly button fluff there doesn't need to be a practical application or technology to be improved behind every human endeavour.
You're probably an American.
Well, aren't there people in your country who are billionaires? People who have far more money than they could possibly spend? Well, there are also people who live in abject poverty too.
Tell me, how is that any different?
P.S. The earthquake affected parts of India too.
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
My point is still valid. Pick any country and you will find people who are shockingly rich and those who are shockingly poor.
Short of forced redistribution of wealth on a massive scale that puts us all on a level playing field, that's always going to be the case, so why make a big deal about this particular case?
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
This argument usually comes from people who aren't passionate about anything. It must be exhausting to sit at home every day laughing at and criticizing other people who are out there living life.