TED: An activist investor on challenging the status quo | Bill Ackman

The video discusses the principles of investing, focusing on long-term strategies and the importance of predicting future trends. It draws parallels between activist investing and social/political activism, particularly in governance. The speaker critiques the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, advocating for a more nuanced approach. The conversation also touches on the influence of wealth in society and the significance of free speech, emphasizing the need for diverse viewpoints in education and business.

What is a key factor in evaluating a business for long-term investment?

• The location of the headquarters

• The number of employees

• The current stock price

• The durability of the franchise

How does the speaker suggest influencing change in a non-profit organization like Harvard?

• By reducing donations

• By organizing protests

• By convincing the world of the importance of concerns

• By buying a controlling share

What does the speaker believe is a downside of the tenure system in universities?

• It reduces free speech

• It limits student enrollment

• It increases tuition fees

• It decreases faculty salaries

According to the speaker, what is a critical aspect of diversity in a business?

• Matching the ethnic composition of the country

• Focusing solely on gender diversity

• Ensuring viewpoint diversity

• Hiring only from top universities

What is the speaker's view on the influence of wealthy individuals in politics?

• It is necessary for economic growth

• It has no impact on political outcomes

• It should be limited to ensure fairness

• It is beneficial for democracy

What platform does the speaker praise for being a true free speech platform?

• Twitter (X)

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

What does the speaker suggest is a problem with the current political campaign funding?

• It is too transparent

• It allows unlimited anonymous spending

• It is too restrictive

• It favors small donors

How does the speaker approach learning from different viewpoints?

• By only following like-minded individuals

• By engaging with both extremes of debates

• By avoiding controversial topics

• By reading only mainstream media

What does the speaker believe is a risk of challenging conventional wisdom today?

• Receiving awards

• Being promoted

• Being canceled

• Gaining popularity

What is the speaker's stance on the role of free speech in finding truth?

• It is unnecessary

• It is harmful

• It is crucial

• It is overrated