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Comment by joelrunyon | Hacker News Reader

Are there any more details into why he's doing this?

Busy producing an Iron Man suit? Running Oracle is getting in the way of being a Bond level supervillan?

There could be lots of reasons.

What is it about Ellison that makes people say Bond villain, beyond the yacht and such? You're not the first person I've heard say that. (I'm not critiquing, I think it's amusing.)

Well he looks like one ...

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/gwillis/archive/2009/10/14/separated...

Although Hank was supposed to be something of a nice guy.

He doesn't seem to like free software and Oracle charges a lot for their software.

Literally Hitler

The problem is not that it's expensive. What is wrong with Oracle's software is that people buy it mostly because migrating away is more expensive. And Oracle works hard to ensure that things will stay that way, even if that requires reducing the quality of their software.

Wow doesn't like free software equates to killing millions in gas chambers?

He owns an island. The beard.

He owns an island.

Cause he's going to be CTO instead.

Pressure from the board maybe..?

Maybe it has something to do with him being 70?

Wow, I never knew that he is 70. I thought 40-something. But he looks really young. In this picture he is 69! [1]

[1] http://www.channelweb.co.uk/IMG/834/272834/big-ellison.jpg

Most of Larry Ellison's charitable contributions have been to a foundation he set up with the goal of reversing aging in Larry Ellison.

His face looks great. I think you can see his age in his arm skin.

Well he's obviously had some "work done". Which I think is great, why not? Money is surely not the problem, life's too short to look crap.

> I thought 40-something

You know Oracle was founded in the late 70's. And Ellison was a co-founder.

Indeed I thought he was mid 50s, I was kind of shocked when I read 70. I am surprised I never knew this considering.

Wow. Even after you said it I didn't really believe it, but googling confirms it - born in '44. And I thought he was younger than Gates - not 12 years older.

https://www.google.com/search?q=larry+ellison+age

A 70-year-old starts a new career as a CTO? If only other high tech companies were this open-minded about employing seniors.

He was already doing the CTO job, in effect. He's just retaining that post as well as becoming Executive Chairman, where he will still be in charge....

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