This is an incredible story, from Jason Pontin, who wants Richard Branson to be part of his new tech conference at MIT in the fall.

Branson wants $750K to speak, money he says he will then donate to charity. It's great that it's for charity, but most people doing worthwhile things don't have that kind of money.

You run into this from time to time. People who choose to isolate themselves. He'll never hear an idea from someone who isn't massively wealthy, or works for someone who is.