Hank [BS/MSEE,
MSM $$$, Ph.D. Mgmt] teaches
Awhile back, we had a post of a slide show depicting Paul’s toy, the Octopus. I don’t want you leaving Purdue thinking the Octopus is what Paul Allen is all about. He is a very complex individual who has his own band. He idolizes Jimi Hendrix who also was born in Seattle and has built a $100 million dollar museum to house his Hendrix memorabilia. For those of you who may not know Jimi, click here for a short YouTube of him. He either owns or is a 
principal of one type or another in over 40 companies. His donations to charity are in the one billion range; he especially supports the University of Washington. Check out this wikipedia link for more about Paul’s very full life. He’s much more than the Octopus, aside from being one of the richest men in the United States!
I mashed up a Mind Map of Paul’s many holdings and included some of his early activities also which is directly below. In short, Paul is quite a guy - we should all live life so fully!
Hank
LETTER FROM PAUL (<– link to his web site)
What should exist? 
To me, that’s the most exciting question imaginable. What do we need that we don’t have? How can we realize our potential? What will it take to solve important problems and improve people’s lives? What should exist, and how might we create it—right now?
I have always been captivated by new ideas that answer these questions. From technology to science to music to art, I’m inspired by those who’ve blurred the boundaries, who’ve looked at the possibilities, and said, “What if…?”
In my own work, I’ve tried to anticipate what’s coming over the horizon, to hasten its arrival, and to apply it to people’s lives in a meaningful way. Challenges inspire me, whether it’s pushing further into space than any private citizen ever has, as with SpaceShipOne or into the inner reaches of the human mind, as with the Allen Brain Atlas initiative. The varied possibilities of the universe have dazzled me since I was a child, and they continue to drive my work, my investments, and my philanthropy.
I hope you believe, as I do, in the inexhaustible ability of human beings to find answers to problems, to create works of beauty and originality, and to craft vital new ideas inspired by those who’ve gone before. The possible is constantly being redefined, and I care deeply about helping humanity move forward.
To me, there’s nothing more gratifying than that.
Paul G. Allen
I can’t imagine how a person can be all about his yacht! Take a look at ol’ Trump. He has his own chopper, own show, tons of towers named after him and owns a lot of casinos(so much for variety!). But he doesn’t dream all day about one possession of his. Look at Howard Hughes for Christ’s sake! He never stuck with one idea. So it has to be obvious that he isn’t all about the Octopus. One thing that makes him shine is his philanthropy. He has my respect for that.
And atleast he isn’t a bragging moron like Trump or Paris Hilton(how did she get here?)
What should exist? paul
To me, that’s the most exciting question imaginable. What do we need that we don’t have? How can we realize our potential? What will it take to solve important problems and improve people’s lives? What should exist, and how might we create it—right now?
A man that thinks in this way is sure to be successful. He thinks in just the way an entrepreneur should. And who can hate a man who loves Jimi Hendrix? I would like to meet this man I think he could teach me a lot. I think that he has the right mind set and really knows how to live life to the fullest while still being very successful.
I agree with Jacque. Paul Allen thinks in such a brilliant way, that there is not room for failure only success. His commitment is to contribute to humanity by offering innovation and creative thinking. This is a very diversified man.
“What if” may be one of the most important questions that we will have to ask ourselves as entrepreneurs. One day that opportunity will come and we will need to come with an idea to fill the void. I think that paul has a great perspective.Plus, he idolizes Jimi Hendrix, another great innovater. Jimi played the guitar like no one else had ever seen before, and he will always be remembered for what he did for that industry.