When COVID hit in 2020, it quickly became clear that some of us would not survive. My finances were heading towards the goals I had set, and I was confident I could reach them, if I survived, but what if I didn’t?
I had a vague idea that I would dedicate my estate to education, but when I played the various scenarios through, none of them were what I wanted to see done with my money. Sure, relatives, old schools and universities would be eagerly awaiting a hand-out, but it was hard to imagine they would use the money in a way I would be happy about.
Three things in my life stand out as things I would like to give others the opportunity to explore: Organised skepticism and critical thinking, cultural exchange for students, and water sport.
And I didn’t want to wait until I was dead for young people to benefit from these opportunities. There is a German saying that the shirt you are buried in with has no pockets. Once I die I really couldn’t care less about my legacy. But I still have some time to go. First of all, I want to see how people struggle with concepts that they will eventually “get” and find useful. That is what teaching is all about. Skepticism, coming to terms with a foreign culture, and taming the power of water are ideas well worth teaching. Secondly, this is not meant to be a one-way street of benefactor to recipient, but I hope that recipients will also contribute to deciding how the legacy can be better used. And finally, I would like to contribute to an inclusive and tolerant society. Discovery is not reserved for the most brilliant, the brightest, or even the Brights. Sometimes new insights arise from just seeing things differently.
So the vehicle I have chosen is a trust fund or foundation which will be run by a handful of beneficiary organisations. In this way, my aims can be clearly enunciated and maintained when I am no longer in a position to do so.
