He could have been one of the great romantic figures of our age. The Isambard Kingdom Brunel of the 21C, driven by a similarly unshakeable belief in his own vision and an obsession with pushing the boundaries of what's possible. But instead, the greater his wealth, the smaller his capital as a man.

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When you see this, even the hope that the people he backs lose anyway, and he might as well have flushed his money straight down the pan, loses its lustre. He could so have become the greatest benefactor in the world, and he chose to be the greatest dork instead. Which is what a dork would do.

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10. Pre-position disaster relief and fund climate adaptation – early-warning systems, shelters, and drought-resistant seeds – to protect many people from predictable catastrophes.

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9. Support evidence-based education: teacher training, structured lessons, and scholarships for girls; improved learning raises incomes and has broad intergenerational benefits.

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8. Invest in epidemic surveillance and primary-care clinics in fragile regions; early detection and basic care protect large populations and reduce global spillover risks.

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