Tell me you need a new hobby without telling me you need a new hobby…
In this post:
Steve Kirsch tries to bribe seatmates to remove masks
Tech millionaire Steve Kirsch seems to have too much time and money on his hands. In a Tweet published yesterday that has now been viewed over 20 million times, Kirsch claims that he offered his Delta first class seatmate $100,000 to remove her mask for the entire flight. This was after he “explained they don’t work,” and he claims that the seatmate works for a pharmaceutical company.
In a subsequent Tweet, he claimed that he started by offering her $100, and worked up from there.
After she rejected his offer, he decided to harass his seatmate even further and “point out” that when she removed her mask for eating and drinking, “she could be infected with one breath.”
This is the second time in a matter of days that Kirsch has tried to pull off such a stunt. Several days ago he was flying Southwest, and claims he offered his seatmates $10K if they’d remove their masks for the duration of the flight. They declined, and he said that maybe he should offer $100K next time, presumably leading to yesterday’s stunt.
For context, Kirsch claims to be trying to help with COVID-19, but has been tied to all kinds of misinformation about masks and vaccines.
What exactly is Kirsch trying to accomplish?
Kirsch’s behavior seems to be bordering on harassment (and that’s being charitable). To repeatedly offer someone an increasing amount of cash to take off their mask, and then to chastise them when they eat, is ridiculous.
I don’t know what Delta’s inflight announcements are like nowadays, but I know on American there’s a specific announcement requiring that passengers respect the decision of fellow passengers as to whether or not they choose to wear a mask. I think Kirsch’s behavior crosses that line.
Now, I’ve shared my approach to masking when flying, and I continue to typically wear masks at airports and during boarding. That being said, if Kirsch would like to offer me $100K, I’d gladly take my mask off for a flight.
For me, wearing a mask is a calculated decision to reduce my general risk of getting sick, and the inconvenience associated with it. It’s not just about coronavirus, it’s about all the other things I can get, as I want to be out of commission for as little time as possible.
That being said, for $100K I’ll gladly take the slightly increased risk of catching a cold, or whatever else.
Bigger picture, though, what exactly is Kirsch hoping to accomplish? Does he think that by offering someone cash to take off their mask, that he’ll somehow change their minds as to whether or not masks work? This accomplishes absolutely nothing, and I’d expect someone as bright as him to understand that.
Masks don’t have to be an all-or-nothing thing. Someone who chooses to wear a mask in some situations doesn’t always have to wear a mask, and doesn’t have to explain to others why they choose to do so.
Bottom line
Steve Kirsch claims to be repeatedly offering his seatmates big payouts if they’re willing to take off their masks, up to $100K. Personally I’m a little skeptical as to how accurate these claims even are, and that’s me trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Because offering people you’re stuck in a metal tube with money to do something seems… a little weird.
Ben, it is obvious by your comments that you have absolutely and completely missed the point of what Steve is doing, and that is to illustrate successfully the level of partisan brainwashing that has infected the general public in this country. The fact that you, as an apparently intelligent individual do not see that, is troubling to say the least. I believe that you do see it. You have said that you would take the...
Ben, it is obvious by your comments that you have absolutely and completely missed the point of what Steve is doing, and that is to illustrate successfully the level of partisan brainwashing that has infected the general public in this country. The fact that you, as an apparently intelligent individual do not see that, is troubling to say the least. I believe that you do see it. You have said that you would take the bribe without a thought shows that you do understand the point and are merely trying to sustain the government talking point/ black-lighting that they have been involved in for the past 3 years. Sorry, people are finally waking up.
The best way to not lose your mid is to just ignore them. If the waiter is wearing one, ask to be reseated or go sit at the bar. If one talks to you, act like you can’t hear them. If one comes near you, look away. If you’re face to face and forced to interact, look through them or past them. Actively shun them as if they are just another unkempt unsightly lunatic standing...
The best way to not lose your mid is to just ignore them. If the waiter is wearing one, ask to be reseated or go sit at the bar. If one talks to you, act like you can’t hear them. If one comes near you, look away. If you’re face to face and forced to interact, look through them or past them. Actively shun them as if they are just another unkempt unsightly lunatic standing on the street corner holding a sign. There will always be a sad, lost soul in every crowd. Don’t stare.
It’s a cult. Money will not work.
Next time he go through a surgery, I’d pay their surgeon not to scrub.
Steve is awesome and I think this was a great experiment.
I would pay this guy $100 to leave me the hell alone.
I’m always interested to know why it’s any concern whether someone wears a mask or not - it’s a free society so do as you please if it makes you feel better about the flying experience
Having just recovered from COVID, I would refuse any amount of money to de-mask. I would happily, however, accept $100k to debate the effectiveness of masks with this boor.
I think you got it all wrong Chuck!
Having just recovered from COVID, you probably have to lowest risk of them all regardless of de-mask or not.
But if you don't get that point. I'll be happy to pay you $10 to watch your debate.
This is going to be like watching anti-vaxx arguing with Flat Earther on Scientology vs Iron Man.
Once I had covid, my mask disappeared permanently. What part of natural immunity do you not understand?
@Alan there is no such thing as durable natural immunity to COVID, any of its variants, or any coronavirus for that matter. Their superpower is to mutate quickly to evade our immune system.
“We translate perceptions and experiences of being better off than others ‘materially’, to being ‘better’ than others.
Paul Piff, Experimental Psychologist - from studies in economic Game Theory.
An extremely pernicious way to think , but unfortunately data shows its far more common than we’d like to believe or personally admit. The reality is, statistically, the stations in life we find ourselves in have far more to do with what family, or country, or...
“We translate perceptions and experiences of being better off than others ‘materially’, to being ‘better’ than others.
Paul Piff, Experimental Psychologist - from studies in economic Game Theory.
An extremely pernicious way to think , but unfortunately data shows its far more common than we’d like to believe or personally admit. The reality is, statistically, the stations in life we find ourselves in have far more to do with what family, or country, or religion, or even what century we were “accidentally” born into—and far less to do with our own delusional unwavering beliefs in how “smart” we THINK we are, how “beautiful” we THINK we are, how “superior” we THINK we are, or how much “harder” we THINK we work than everyone else.
Just maybe, Steve Kirsch should seriously ponder that, the next time he is utterly convinced he’s “smarter” than everyone else in the room. Especially considering, his educational qualifications and expertise are in computer science and electrical engineering, rather than epidemiology.
Interestingly, it seems only you, @—Anonymous, thinks he is smarter or better. Maybe he can feel that way because people like you allow it.
You seem to be obsessed by his qualifications and try to undermine his expertise in computer science in the field of epidemiology.
You are pernicious to yourself. You quoted a Psychologist in the field of Economics.
Tax the rich.
Yet the rich gets richer.
Taxation is just another smokes and mirrors.
They sent conservatives to distract liberals you, while both of you are too busy with CNN and FOX, you don't even notice they rigged the system.
I am not going into the debate Masks-on, Masks-off, because it has become extremely political and Ben, who otherwise writes very well, does not need encouraging to overflow into politics from a on-topic story line.
This being said, while I shall always wear a mask as a courtesy to someone who feels safer with them around and mention it, I am revulsed by keeping one for hours at a time and blocking-in close to my...
I am not going into the debate Masks-on, Masks-off, because it has become extremely political and Ben, who otherwise writes very well, does not need encouraging to overflow into politics from a on-topic story line.
This being said, while I shall always wear a mask as a courtesy to someone who feels safer with them around and mention it, I am revulsed by keeping one for hours at a time and blocking-in close to my face the germs from every single passenger on board. At least I change mine every two hours if/when asked to wear one. Who else does this? Almost nobody.
I'm not going to debate masks....
Proceeds to debate masks.
Childish, embarrassing garbage.
People can do what they want, including foolish acts of virtue signaling. I know for $100K I'd gladly put a mask on.
When would be his next flight?
You should respect others who wish to wear a mask. This guy was tacky to flaunt money around. 100K isn’t even a lot of money. If he really wanted to put his money where his mouth was he should have offered half a million dollars.
If that's harassment, please, please harass me!
I hate to say it, but the government needs to start using state power to forcibly sieze money from tech moguls.
I would have take my mask off for $100, for sure.
Seems the wrong topics are going viral these days. A story like this should be viral compared to many others. I think the passengers should have talked to the flight crew. If he was penalized as an example it would be a good lesson to others.
"Show me the money and I'll think about it!"
(No checks, credit cards or promissory notes accepted.)
@glenn t
What would you do with 100k ? That’s not a lot of money.
Unfortunately for any passengers hoping to take him up on his offer, all his money was in Silicon Valley Bank. Good luck getting even $10!
From the tweet time, either his money should be safe or he went nuts because of it.
He's probably among Peter Thiel's tech army ants that run on the bank.
Now if only the wackos from MH370 Netflix can find theories of Peter Thiel behind the collapse.
This is a billionaire who is probably worth a lot more than what the public knows.
I would not have accepted his offer either. First, if you have $100k to just give away like that, why are you flying Delta? even in first class. To me, you're just crazy person that needs attention.
What do you want him to fly? He was on WN the other day.
He's just a millionaire. The parents of the drunk kid on Frontier has $2M net worth.
@Eskimo. are you that dense?
@Jay
You are poor!! and dumb!!!
How stupid you need to be believe a person who claims to have $100k should be flying something better than Delta first class?
Go make your first million, you'll realize how out of touch you are.
Even the 1% still flies commercial, a lot of them.
He's just a millionaire. Stop thinking he's an elite that should fly better. He's not even in Forbes list, if you even know what it is.
Are you that factually ignorant? May people with 9figure+ net worths still fly commercial domestic flights all the time, particularly out of LAX, NYC, and MIA... two of which are DL hubs.
Not all that shocking that a HNW individual would be doing so at all.
Surprise! Another privileged yahoo wants his 15mins of fame. Maybe Covid has wiped out his short term memory...but pre-CV, I always experienced people wearing masks in various situations around the world, especially involving travel. I was not one of them and I continue to go mask-less today. It's my choice and I respect everyone else's choice to do what they want. It's ironic that the same people who want less government intervention, (not always a...
Surprise! Another privileged yahoo wants his 15mins of fame. Maybe Covid has wiped out his short term memory...but pre-CV, I always experienced people wearing masks in various situations around the world, especially involving travel. I was not one of them and I continue to go mask-less today. It's my choice and I respect everyone else's choice to do what they want. It's ironic that the same people who want less government intervention, (not always a bad idea), will be the first to intervene in someone else's life...and do it in a dramatic way. #LiveAndLetLive
The only problem is that many of those who still wear masks honestly believe they work and would love to mandate them again for all of us.
Hopefully Delta, Southwest and all other airlines ban Steve for harassing customers.
Fact 1. Never trust a Trumper
Fact 2. Crime and trouble would be near zero if republicans would disappear-97 percent of all crime is done from republicans and racist whities.
Fact 3. President Biden and vice president Harris are doing one heck of a job cleaning up the mess fat orangeman dotard left and I can't commend them enough on their accomplishments.
Fact 4. Do continue masking up and following true science...
Fact 1. Never trust a Trumper
Fact 2. Crime and trouble would be near zero if republicans would disappear-97 percent of all crime is done from republicans and racist whities.
Fact 3. President Biden and vice president Harris are doing one heck of a job cleaning up the mess fat orangeman dotard left and I can't commend them enough on their accomplishments.
Fact 4. Do continue masking up and following true science to prevent COVID as it WORKS.
THIS IS REALLY NOT THAT HARD, FOLKS.
DONT BE A TRUMPER. DONT BE Like STEVE
Whose that
What a hateful and mean spirited comment. You need help
Steve K is actually vaccinated and only came out against covid interventions after discovering inconsistencies in much of what the government was proclaiming. The lesson learned from this pandemic should have been one that the "experts" are not always right and they should never be afraid of debating "experts" who have a different opinion. Had the world listened to Geert Vanden Bossche when mass vaccination began, we would be in a much better place.
He should have offered 100k$ to his seatmate to remove her pants and explained how a piece of clothing is not really going to add any protection for skin.
I would have reported him to the cabin crew for harrassment.
Mind your own business and take another handful of Ivermectin, douchebag.
@Pete
Calling the cabin crew seems to be a recurring theme with you. Be a man.
I see no issue here. Seatmste wants 100K unmask. He’s right they don’t work anyway.
I've never heard of him, why should I care who he is? He's a jackass, that's all I need to know.
He would have been better off spending his $100k on a private jet fare and leaving the rest of us who can only afford to fly commercial alone to enjoy our flight in peace.
For $100k, he can take his own plane. Why is flying commercial?
I can see him writing in to the Reddit AITAH - 100% he is the @$$hole. Geez, dude, people are just trying to get where they're going, leave your seatmates alone!
I’m trying to figure out how he would have paid that. Can you Apple Pay or Venmo $100K? Would have loved to see if he followed through with it but odds are he wouldn’t have.
This should be an article about him using Delta's wi-fi to Cash App her 100 grand.
Cant send more than $3K in a 24hr period to a single source on Venmo. No idea ApplePay or CashApp limitations.
Not that he would've followed through with even that much.
"What exactly is Kirsch trying to accomplish"
As simple as that, Marketing is legalized lying!
And you did exactly what he was looking for, spreading the news. I must assume, as a European, I had never heard about that guy. I won't, but I'm sure many people will google his name and even the fact he didn't give the person any cent he will earn money with his "stunt."
Should've taken the 100k. Then paid 5k to every other first class passenger to walk past him and cough and spit in his face.
I'm sure a fair few would've done to for free to a self entitled a-hole.
Alternatively, paid everyone else 5k to wear a mask and see how much his willing to pay.
Passenger next to me this morning boarded wearing a N95 mask. Stayed with that until breakfast was served in first class. Enjoyed the meal and drinks for a good 45 minutes without the mask. Then put the mask back on. Yes, Covid was on time out during the time he was eating.
I agree that's ridiculous behaviour - if you're going to wear an N95, you have to wear it for the whole flight.
The point of this story is that a belligerent, self-important wanker was making an ass of himself and hassling other passengers in the cabin.
The passenger made an ass of herself as well by removing the mask for a meal.
It's the harassment and bending others to your will. In my dark heart, I'd say sure and remove mask accompanied with a big exhale. Then let him know you've been exposed to tuberculosis. You're welcome!
An attention whore who is a pompous fool believing his theory on contagion spread is correct forcing it on his seat mate. I would have told him to Stfu. And don’t believe for a minute he would have paid out.
I like how you resort to name calling and disrespect just because you don't like what he said or did. He didn't do anything to you nor do you know him personally.
Sounds like he’s a complete twat and was openly harassing someone.
This guy seems crazy. But if offering strangers $100k is harassment, I would like to be harassed.
I’ve seen when a local anti-vaxxer, anti-masker caught Covid. Into the hospital and he nearly died. Smart guy, knows more than the rest of us.
As have many who are vaxed and have always worn masks, what's your point?
Absurd: Passenger won’t remove mask for $100k
Not absurd because there is no guarantee he would have paid. Then what?
What's wrong with people that you neeed an annoucement for people ro respetc others choice on wearing a mask or not, years into the pandemic.
"On American there’s a specific announcement requiring that passengers respect the decision of fellow passengers as to whether or not they choose to wear a mask"
Makes me want to wear a mask on my next flight just to hope Steve is sitting next to me!
Why the hell are you even giving this guy the time of day? He was clearly just trying to rile people up and wouldn't even pay the first "bid" and it looks like you took the bait.
For argument sake, let's say that a mask might provide only a little protection. If a person has a medical vulnerability, the person will take even the smallest amount of protection . . . whether or not it seems rational to any other person. I had a cousin who died of COVID. A friend who died. A niece who almost died. All with medical vulnerabilities. When we see a person wearing a mask, we simply...
For argument sake, let's say that a mask might provide only a little protection. If a person has a medical vulnerability, the person will take even the smallest amount of protection . . . whether or not it seems rational to any other person. I had a cousin who died of COVID. A friend who died. A niece who almost died. All with medical vulnerabilities. When we see a person wearing a mask, we simply don't know if the person has a medical vulnerability. When we see a person wearing a mask, we assume it's about COVID. The person with a medical vulnerability needs to protect against any germ or virus. So, just leave the person alone.
It's weird how medical vulnerabilities didn't exist before 2020, as we never saw anyone wearing masks in the US.
Yup, 100% no one ever wore one in a hospital. Zero need and all.
A$$clown.
Yet if you ever went to an Asian country post SARS/bird flu you saw a a small, but consistent number of people wearing masks whenever they went outside, notably more than before those outbreaks. People change after going through an outbreak. At worst a seatmate wearing a mask is going to breathe less crap on the person next to them.
Also, the mandates are over so no one can whine about how they are forced...
Yet if you ever went to an Asian country post SARS/bird flu you saw a a small, but consistent number of people wearing masks whenever they went outside, notably more than before those outbreaks. People change after going through an outbreak. At worst a seatmate wearing a mask is going to breathe less crap on the person next to them.
Also, the mandates are over so no one can whine about how they are forced to wear masks and that they are standing up for freedom and individual choice. People who choose to wear masks now are expressing their freedom to do so even if some think it’s stupid and unnecessary.
Unless he has 100k cash on hand, I don’t believe he will actually pay anyone if they take off their masks. Just saying.
He can instantly transfer it via Revolut.
The millionaire is a bit ugly and creepy. I could put an eye mask for free...
He's not wrong. All he is saying is that you can get infected while eating or drinking. I would have gladly taken $1,000 if offered.
It’s not whether he’s right or wrong. It’s about respecting the decisions of others. He isn’t owed any explanations as to why his seatmate wears a mask.
He made an offer, she declined. End of story.
@Alonzo
You clearly didn't read the story at all. Hell, you didn't even read the man's one-liner tweet. He "started the bidding at $100", so he made an offer, she declined, and he kept pestering her with additional, completely unsolicited "offers", while also making unsolicited comments to her while she was eating and had her mask down.
Ok. Did she call the FA? Did she change seats? Did she file a complaint? Let's face it, we've all sat next to people we don't like or don't enjoy speaking to. Doesn't mean it's worth publicity. At the end of the day, who cares.
@Alonzo
You cared enough to defend him with lies, then when called out on the completely lack of factual basis for your initial statement, now you're moving the goalpost.
Whether it's worth the publicity, and as to who cares: well you clicked, you (not really) read, and cared enough to BS here and make multiple comments.
Respecting the decisions of others was thrown out the window by these same people who are outraged by the ridiculous behavior of this guy. Just an ironic observation by a pragmatic guy that never bought into either of the Covid extremes.
You don't have a medical vulnerability. See my other comment.
Are you assuming that I don't have a medical vulnerability without knowing me? How dare you. You're as dumb as your comment from above.
“What exactly is Kirsch trying to accomplish?”
He’s trying to be noticed/ generate engagement.
Interesting that someone who tries to accomplish the same thing on a daily basis (of course, by very different means, for different purposes) would need to ask that question.
He would reneg on some technicality if she had done it. Just like his political heros: grifters.
Why are we supposed to believe this guy has $100k to give? A former Huffpost writer with a sketchy nonprofit generally isn't the pinnacle of liquidity.
There was a Twilight Zone episode in which a guy bet another guy $X. The challenge was a big one. The other guy won. But, to win, the other guy had to do something that was irreversible. When it came time to pay, the first guy said he was broke.
The Silence: Annoyed by a member's constant chatter at a wealthy club, a man bets him he cannot remain silent for a year, living in a glass enclosure in the club basement. The twists are that the man cut his vocal cords to ensure the win, only to find out the man offering the bet was broke.
“This guy” is Steve Kirsch, an exceptionally affluent Silicon Valley entrepreneur who successfully founded a number of very successful companies over the years. He certainly has $100K to give (he could probably give $100K to everyone on the flight and it wouldn't hardly dent his assets). I've personally known Steve for over 40 years.
That having been said, he very uncharacteristically has gone fairly “off the rails” in terms of the whole Covid pandemic, preventative...
“This guy” is Steve Kirsch, an exceptionally affluent Silicon Valley entrepreneur who successfully founded a number of very successful companies over the years. He certainly has $100K to give (he could probably give $100K to everyone on the flight and it wouldn't hardly dent his assets). I've personally known Steve for over 40 years.
That having been said, he very uncharacteristically has gone fairly “off the rails” in terms of the whole Covid pandemic, preventative measures (including vaccines, masks, etc.) and especially quack cures that have been thoroughly disproven.
Very, very sad!
A recurrent discussion, and it won't die...
Infectious diseases have more than one layer. Contagiousness is not a digital process.
What all infections have in common, be it the common cold or Ebola, are that duration of exposure and viral load of the contagious medium play a significant role.
The statement "could get infected with a single breath" is absolutely correct. Yet, the likelihood of an infection is much higher with a...
A recurrent discussion, and it won't die...
Infectious diseases have more than one layer. Contagiousness is not a digital process.
What all infections have in common, be it the common cold or Ebola, are that duration of exposure and viral load of the contagious medium play a significant role.
The statement "could get infected with a single breath" is absolutely correct. Yet, the likelihood of an infection is much higher with a hundred, a thousand or ten thousand breaths.
So, assuming you believe in science, and you understand what an aerosol is: Is it safer to never take the mask off at all: likely yes. Is it better than not wearing a mask at all, to only take it off when you eat and drink: likely also yes.
That leaves the question if your health (and/or principles) are worth more than $X (whatever Mr Kirsch is willing to offer as X): only you can answer that question.
If Mr Kirsch, or anyone else, prefers to not wear a mask in an environment wear masking is not mandated, so be it. If he is sitting next to someone who prefers to wear a mask, Mr Kirsch may of course think about that what ever he wants. But is it necessary to harass the seat neighbor?
“ Because offering people you’re stuck in a metal tube with money to do something seems… a little weird.”
But Ben you said you would take the offer, so what does that make you?
“ That being said, for $100K I’ll gladly take the slightly increased risk of catching a cold, or whatever else.” Ohhhh, glad to know.
He does make a point I never understood. Why people on planes felt safe removing masks when eating. It truly doesn't make sense. During the worst of it, I just kept it on - but was constantly puzzled by the logic of removing it when eating.
There are two reasons why I remove my mask only while eating, and it seems like a reasonable course of action to me:
1) The longer the period you are unmasked, the higher your risk. If you are unmasked for 5% of the time your risk is still considerably lower than if you are unmasked 100% of the time. Risk is not zero in either case, but I'll reduce my risk by as much as...
There are two reasons why I remove my mask only while eating, and it seems like a reasonable course of action to me:
1) The longer the period you are unmasked, the higher your risk. If you are unmasked for 5% of the time your risk is still considerably lower than if you are unmasked 100% of the time. Risk is not zero in either case, but I'll reduce my risk by as much as I reasonably can, and I consider eating a meal to fall within the category of increased but within the acceptable risk of a trade-off I'm willing to make. I mask as much for the protection of everyone else as for myself, and if I'm sick but don't know it, masking for 95% of the time also reduces the risk of infecting others.
2) The most dangerous time for airborne illness on a place is after boarding but before the engines are on. Air circulation is the worst, and 100% masking is the best way to protect yourself and everyone around you. Once the plane is in the air, cabin pressure is reduced, and air circulation is considerably better, making it much less risky to remove the mask for a short period of time to eat. Masks don't protect 100%, and being unmasked doesn't put your risk at 100%. Especially if you're healthy and vaccinated, it's about layers of protection that reduce your risk, while taking care of your basic needs (food and drink on a long flight).
Lucky, less than 24 hrs ago lmfao: "I believe in the “live and let live” ideology".. ok, let Steve K live then
@ Unreal -- How about Steve K let his seatmate live? What a strange take...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYQZHNwIUq8