in such a blatant display of unoriginality

Seems to me the architect had a custom ThinkBox created specifically for the author. Considering the author’s disposition to writing complex stories, the calling card was pretty clever, in my opinion.

So if Bill Gates or Warren Buffett or, hey, Raph sent you such a Rubik’s cube, you’d turn down their proposals?

The “you” was Tim.

I actually had Raph in mind when I wrote the first paragraph. However, if he sent me a “Rubik’s Cube of a sculpture” or Thinkbox in such a blatant display of unoriginality, then I’d start doubting him, which would be grounds for me not to hand the money over to him. I’d have to think about it.

If Bill Gates or Warren Buffet wanted my money, I expect the world would be in such a state of collapse that a measly 10 million isn’t going to do squat.

I mean, the fact that he was distracted and trying to deal with other stuff is a big reason why he wouldn’t have thought too hard about it before turning it down… and had he not been in that situation he would’ve probably done it too…

But that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t have done it had it been more clearly described and the situation was the same. The circumstances he was in would’ve lowered his threshold for investigating projects, which is reason enough for the preface about how busy he was. Had he had less going on, he likely would’ve done it because that threshold would’ve been higher. But if it had it been clearer too, assuming what he’s saying isn’t just an attempt at PR, he would’ve done it too, because he wouldn’t have had to *think* about it so much either, which is another way to decrease the amount of effort he’d need to give it.

Clearly expressing yourself is as important as having a good hook. Not to diminish the importance of a good hook, but if the message is muddled, you bounce many more people off than if you’ve got both. That really seems to be what happened here.

If I ever have $10M, you can come see me. But if you send me a Rubik’s cube stamped with the word “Please”, I’ll reject any proposal you make.

So if Bill Gates or Warren Buffett or, hey, Raph sent you such a Rubik’s cube, you’d turn down their proposals? When you have portfolio like that, your calling cards can be as creative as you want. In fact, if you spent any time as a creative working with top-shelf people, invitations such as described in the article are fairly common. They’re not out of the ordinary and they do work. I know.

I really wish people would read more carefully before posting their comments, too. The architect, who’s apparently a hot shot in the architecture community, did not send a “Rubik’s cube stamped with the word ‘Please’”. He sent something like this. That’s a nicety and a clever calling card for the prospect the architect was targeting. What, you think he sends ThinkBoxes to everyone he invites?

If I ever have $10M, you can come see me. But if you send me a Rubik’s cube stamped with the word “Please”, I’ll reject any proposal you make.

Huh, Morgan, did you miss this part then:

No. If he really just misunderstood, then he wouldn’t have prefaced his statement with a long excuse about why he’s too busy.

He’s an author. There’s a PR issue. And saying “being as mysterious as Clough is. Or as skeptical as I am” is a great talking point.

what kind of person drops $10M and DOESN’T CHECK ON WHERE HIS MONEY WENT!? I want to talk to those people.

For some people, spending $10M is akin to Average Joe spending $10. Plus, the wife was the designated handler for the architect. I think hubby was satisfied knowing that, given that his wife was also CEO at an investment banking firm.