[barry-cotter]

This logic would work if competition didn’t exist and no one ever made huge unforced errors. In the world as is Buffet, Gates, Bezos and Musk are among the richest people ever. Their parents were wealthy but nothing remotely comparable. The Carnegies and Rockefeller families are still rich but even if you add all of them together they’re not a shadow the importance the founders of the fortunes had.

Political dynasties are important but competition erodes them too. Who’s the most important Kennedy under 40? Whoever they are they’re not that important.

[thayne]

Coming from wealthy, well connected families isn't the only reason those people are where they are today, but it certainly helped. They had the resources they needed to start their companies readily available.

[Master_Odin]

Within this comparison, will the various children of Musk or Gates or Buffet be as memoriable as their parents, or will they end up like the Kennedys, where yeah they exist and probably have a bunch of money, but they're "not important".

[Thorrez]

I'd guess those children will be even less important than the Kennedys. Among the voting public, last name recognition plays a large role. When publicly traded companies choose a CEO, last name recognition is much less important. Gates is also giving away almost all his wealth so his kids won't get it. For the others, inheritance tax will take a significant fraction, and the money will be divided between multiple children.

[modo_mario]

I'll believe it when I see it. During the timeframe where he said he'd give away half of his money he did spend a whole lot on charity(idk if it was half of the initial amount but i doubt it) and avoided a lot of taxes that way but he also tripled his wealth. He's also the biggest single person landowner in the US I think which I don't see him handing over soon.

[hutzlibu]

"Who’s the most important Kennedy under 40? Whoever they are they’re not that important. "

Well, the most famous Kennedy right now is probably Robert F Kennedy Jr. But he is over 40 and luckily is not a succesful leader. But he probably dreams about being one (fighting against the system of evil vaccination).