Yeah, but the average American also isn’t making $50 million donations to keep a pet project going.

Let's say your net worth is ~100k. That's equivalent to a 2.5k donation. Investing 2.5k in a pet project is pretty common, and you don't find yourself in the streets for doing so.

I think people that say it's easy to lose 2b$ don't have a clear understanding of the amount of money that is. It's a crazy amount for one person.

I think you’ve lost the context. If signal does not figure out revenue, they will require more $50MM donations. Using your analogy, that would be like you spending $5,000 or $10,000 when you originally only planned to spend $2,500. Perhaps you wouldn’t flinch, but many would pull the plug after the first or second time, especially if disappointed about some aspect of the project. Your project is at risk by relying on your continued good graces, even though you may technically be able to afford more investment. Likewise, signal is at risk if it requires periodic investment of millions from Acton, even though he can afford it and currently supports the project. Since he donated a few percent of his net worth, it’s a better situation than if he had donated, say, half, but signal still needs to take the risk seriously.

Look at what happens to lottery winners.

There’s a world of difference between a million and a billion.

Just physically moving that amount of cash is difficult and takes time. Even those lottery winners don’t blow the whole lot in less than a year.

> Just physically moving that amount of cash is difficult and takes time.

...that's why it isn't moved physically?

Forget it in your pants, and it went in the washing machine.

You know, same problem as everyone else, really.

That's why they're making all of the cash money plastic, so these billionaires can stop accidently laundering their money. Genius!