[EvilLook]

Noblesse Oblige is dead. The ultra-rich hoard their wealth. They won't even invest in their own country by paying their taxes without tax shelters. What makes you think they would invest in something that might benefit others?

[nickpinkston]

JPM wasn't doing this out of obligation - he wanted to make money too!

Noblesse Oblige is alive and well - it's called crowdfunding now! ;-)

[sgrove]

Bill Gates? Warren Buffett? Laurene Jobs? Zuckerberg? Ron Conway?

I don't know what qualified as ultra-rich, but "investments" the wealthy/rich bracket in SV (including new-comers) also fails to back up your assertion.

[k__]

The problem is, we let them choose where to spend their money, so everyone in need depends on their mercy. They're like the Kings and Queens of our time.