Society

The difference between rap, jazz, blues, rock & roll, pop, r&b and all that is that the hip-hop artists held on to it…. MTV didn't play any people of colour until hip-hop came along. They had Michael Jackson then they had Run D.M.C. Run D.M.C's 'Rock Box' and these records were honest and real reflections of what came from these people's communities- from a poetry and music standpoint.

Founder of Def Jam Records & Hip-Hop Pioneer

When they went to work, it wasn't that they were selling out but rather the intention of human beings to chase things… material stuff… come out of the ghetto… achieve… they wanted their own reflection in pop culture… they didn't want any of this YMCA, Patrick Juvet's – I Love America or any of these disco records that were out…. they didn't want to listen to that on black radio, it was insulting…. so they made their own.

Founder of Def Jam Records & Hip-Hop Pioneer

All the great achievements of humankind – from building the pyramids to reaching the Moon – are based on large scale cooperation. And all large scale human cooperation is based on belief in fictions such as gods, nations, money and human rights.

Bestselling author of "Sapiens" & historian studying human civilization

Humans began to create and believe things that exist only in their own imagination. Things such as gods, nations, money and human rights. This enabled humans to start cooperating on an unprecedented scale.

Bestselling author of "Sapiens" & historian studying human civilization

I'm fortunate that I can make a change that in a very positive way affects a better way of life for many humans as well as all living creatures and our planet while I'm alive and that will live on

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

the most important thing is to commit your resources, whether it's money or time, to a cause that you're passionate about, whether that is a local school, supporting an environmental project, or helping poor kids in Africa

Former Microsoft executive and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation president

charity and philanthropy are the same. Charity giving is more aligned with money and not so much individual time. Philanthropy is more of a practice and way of being

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

Boys we just donated to the Salvation Army. They help people that do not have homes or food. Always remember in life there will always be someone that will be in more in need. We could only afford a dime that year, but we gave to help out others!

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

I feel it is the duty for every human and company to do something to either make their community, their city, their state, their country or the world a better place to live. You don't have to contribute financially, but rather your time, smile and good wishes to start the ball rolling. Time is a very valuable thing, when you contribute your time to others- you've contributed something of great value

Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems & The Patrón Spirits Company

I made a principled decision that none of my wealth will be passed on as inheritance, that my capital will work for philanthropic causes. In other words, philanthropy is the reason I make money.

Russian Oligarch & Owner of Norilsk Nickel Mining Company

If you go to any rave, or any football event, you will find people chanting in a rhythm- human beings do that. We have this sense to participate and organise- Music lets you rediscover your humanity, and your connection to humanity. When you listen to Mozart with other people, you feel that somehow- we're all in this together….

Acclaimed film composer known for scores like The Lion King and Inception

Sleep became not just devalued but actively scorned. After all, every hour spent sleeping was another hour spent not working—therefore another wasted hour. And despite a growing awareness of the importance of well-being, so many of our modern attitudes still reflect this.

Co-Founder of The Huffington Post & Wellness Advocate

The EU needs reform. Countries have transferred jurisdiction over legislations to a centre that makes decisions in somewhat of a vacuum, featuring a European Parliament that cannot itself initiate legislation. We have a paradox therefore where national parliaments give certain powers to the centre, without being compensated through the creation of an essential federal sovereignty; this is ineffective, and denying this is not helping us debate what is wrong with the EU and how to fix it. We need to work together as nations to reform and democratise EU institutions.

Greek Finance Minister during eurozone debt crisis negotiations

You may become rich, engage in philanthropy and help a million people but the only way you can help a billion people is by building a profitable business. Making money has almost become a taboo! People say, 'oh my god! You're making money?' and I say, 'you know what? I'm so proud that my business makes money… it's the only way I can scale and make a huge impact…'

Entrepreneur & Founder of Moon Express, Infosys Technologies Co-Founder

The polarising EU referendum brought much of this to a head. Let me be clear: I do not, by any stretch, feel that people that voted to leave the EU were racist- but it's clear that UKIP, EDL, and their peers realised the power of the race card, and played it to their advantage.

All modern humans share a common ancestor. We all emerged from Africa, 200,000 years ago, as our species moved across the Earth, adapting to the differing climates and conditions of our planet. We are one big, beautiful, dysfunctional and incredible family, tearing itself apart over something as inconsequential as our hue.