I recently graduated from Stony Brook University where Jim Simons chaired the math department in the 1960s. He left to start Renaissance Technologies which is located 1 mile down the street from campus. Their influence is everywhere. We have a Simons Center for Geometry and Physics ($150m building). I take classes in Frey Hall (Robert Frey used be managing director at Rentec). Our med school is literally the "Renaissance School of Medicine." Our athletic facility is the Walter J. Hawrys Campus Recreation & Wellness Center (named after Jim's father in law). etc. etc.
Children of Renaissance employees come to campus on weekends to train for USAMO and play chess. I met Jim a couple of times at alumni events and what stood out is how humble and normal and down to earth he seemed. He is also a chain smoker and was lighting up indoors(!) but of course no one can say a word to him lol. He's been making >$1 billion a year for like the past 20 years. To put it in perspective: an average code monkey like me making $250k at a FAANG would have to work for FOUR THOUSAND YEARS to make how much he makes in a year. It's unreal.
Don't forget the yachts in the Stony Brook marina! I always smiled as I passed the giant 'Matrix Rose'. No need to ask where the money for that one came from.
Just googled the yacht - its pretty small for someone of his wealth. Check out the late Paul Allen's yacht Octopus or MY Eclipse for what some billionaires go for.
Allen's Octopus was for research as well, remember. Simons funds plenty of giant expensive research things - just not in yacht form. I wouldn't expect something worthy of Larry Ellison from him.
I recently graduated from Stony Brook University where Jim Simons chaired the math department in the 1960s. He left to start Renaissance Technologies which is located 1 mile down the street from campus. Their influence is everywhere. We have a Simons Center for Geometry and Physics ($150m building). I take classes in Frey Hall (Robert Frey used be managing director at Rentec). Our med school is literally the "Renaissance School of Medicine." Our athletic facility is the Walter J. Hawrys Campus Recreation & Wellness Center (named after Jim's father in law). etc. etc.
Children of Renaissance employees come to campus on weekends to train for USAMO and play chess. I met Jim a couple of times at alumni events and what stood out is how humble and normal and down to earth he seemed. He is also a chain smoker and was lighting up indoors(!) but of course no one can say a word to him lol. He's been making >$1 billion a year for like the past 20 years. To put it in perspective: an average code monkey like me making $250k at a FAANG would have to work for FOUR THOUSAND YEARS to make how much he makes in a year. It's unreal.