Billionaires
are, generally, a very risk-conscious breed, which is one reason why Roman
Abramovich is spending
$2.4 million a year on private security, including hiring former solidiers
of the SAS, Britain’s elite commando unit. At the same time, they’re often big
risk-takers, if the pay-off in thrills is big enough: think Larry Ellison’s
yacht races, or Richard Branson’s adventures in hot air balloons.
What doesn’t make sense is high-risk, low-return behavior such as not
wearing a seatbelt when driving at 91 miles an hour on the Garden State
Parkway.
And so the question naturally arises: Why doesn’t Barry Diller
tie his shoelaces? Reuters photographer Rick Wilking caught
the IAC CEO in podiatric
peril earlier today. What could possibly explain his recklessness? A few
possibilities:
- It’s a fashion statement orchestrated by his wife, fashion designer Diane
von Furstenberg
, who is walking on his right. - Diller’s shoelaces are always tied by his valet, but unfortunately there
wasn’t space for both the valet and Diller’s store of cardigans on his private
jet. Clearly, the valet had to be left behind, with potentially disastrous
consequences.
- Diller is too forward-looking to ever look down at his feet. How can he
be expected to know when his laces are untied?
- Diller is such a busy man he doesn’t have the time to tie his shoelaces.
- Diller only ever wears loafers. He really has no idea what shoelaces are.
- Diller’s just a wild and crazy guy – sometimes, he even goes outside
without putting sunblock on his bald patch!