Buffett to step down following six-decade run atop Berkshire

Reaction to Retirement & Health

• Many express surprise despite his age, having expected him to work until death like his longtime partner.
• At 94, most see stepping down as prudent, not necessarily a sign of acute illness, especially with a ~7‑month runway and longstanding succession planning.
• Some note his voice and demeanor show normal age-related decline but little change from 2024.
• Several emphasize the value of an “orderly succession” and suggest the loss of his partner may have reduced the “fun” of continuing.

Legacy, Morality & Impact

• A subset frames this as the end of an era of prudence, measured governance, and respect for facts, drawing parallels with cautious political leaders.
• Others sharply contest any moral idealization, asking how rail labor disputes, heavy oil exposure, and products like soda reflect “just society” values.
• There’s extended debate over deteriorating working‑class conditions, unions, sick leave, and whether prioritizing profit fuels authoritarian politics, versus arguments that profitability and competition are necessary and unions can overreach.
• Several argue his biggest real‑world impact is via “boring” but crucial infrastructure: insurance, rail, utilities, and capital provision during crises (e.g., 2008), plus large philanthropic commitments; critics see this mostly as wealth consolidation and bailouts.

Investing Style, Markets & Policy

• Some lament he’s retiring just as they think “value investing” is poised for a comeback; others argue valuations are still extreme and his style has already been adapted by lieutenants.
• Debate over whether he “missed tech” (e.g., early Google) vs. wisely stayed within his circle of competence while still outperforming major indices with relatively low risk and large cash reserves.
• Tariffs and trade deficits spark long back‑and‑forth:
  • He’s cited as worried about chronic trade deficits and proposing “import certificates” as a systematic alternative to blunt tariffs.
  • Others counter that deficits and foreign ownership are less problematic than he suggests, highlighting benefits of capital inflows and US reserve‑currency privilege; skeptics stress long‑term risks of asset sell‑off and “colonization by purchase.”

Buffett, Berkshire & Governance

• Several note Berkshire’s extreme decentralization: many operating businesses, a huge cash “war chest,” and a culture that his presence has anchored; concern that without a strong figurehead, culture could drift.
• Some regret he never held a major formal government post; others argue his influence via markets, advice, and tax‑policy advocacy was already substantial.

Learning from Him & Personal Themes

• Popular recommendations: his shareholder letters, collected essays, partner’s “Almanack,” classic value‑investing texts, and videos of annual meetings.
• Multiple comments stress his clarity of thought, long time horizons, and focus on simple, understandable businesses.
• His long life despite a famously poor diet prompts discussion that longevity is a mix of genetics, luck, healthcare, and purpose, and that even “all the money in the world” cannot currently buy immortality.