Media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner spoke Monday about issues ranging from the United Nations to his private bison herd in a lighthearted atmosphere at the Fuqua School of Business.
Turner, the founder of CNN and former owner of the Atlanta Braves, discussed his investment in sustainable-development projects as well as the necessity of personal responsibility in solving problems.
"[This generation] needs to focus on doing the smart things and not doing the dumb things. If we do that, we've got it covered," Turner said. "We make it together or we go down together, it is that simple."
On the issue of the environment, Turner said he is investing in renewable energy and encouraging everyone to use less.
"If we destroy the environment, we're going to become extinct sooner rather than later," Turner said. "We have to change the way we're doing things and we can't keep drawing down on our environmental capital."
He said environmental problems could be solved if only people would "stop doing the dumb things and start doing smart things." He pointed to his current investment in solar and wind energy as "smart things."
"I drive a hybrid, I turn off the lights at night and when I walk down the street I pick up some of the trash," Turner said. "If we have more people picking up trash than are throwing it in the street then we'll have a better world."
Regarding the United Nations, Turner said he supports U.N. activities and that his $1-billion donation to the organization was a "great investment."
"I think the U.N., considering everything, is doing a remarkable job," Turner said. "Right now, the U.N. is against the war in Iraq, the U.S. is for it and our policies are not as good as the U.N. as far as international relations are concerned."
Many of Turner's responses evoked laughter and cheering from the audience.
When asked about the efficacy of hemp as an alternative fuel source, Turner said, "If alcohol is legal, why shouldn't marijuana be? That makes sense to me."
Turner also offered advice to the younger generation, adding that the best way to be successful as a young entrepreneur is to be "early to bed, early to rise, to work like hell and advertise."
Although some audience members responded positively to Turner's speech, others said they were less appreciative.
"I was a little disappointed and I don't think he has a lot to offer personally. It's really easy to get up there and say do the right things and don't do the wrong things and not have anything to back them up," said Fuqua student Chris Pine.
Gaston Arevalo, also a Fuqua student, said he found Turner's speech relevant and interesting.
"He made a great comment about how to be a leader of the future and what we need to think, being an institution like Duke," Arevalo said.
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