10 Questions for Richard Branson

Nicknamed the Rebel Billionaire for his daredevil stunts, the Virgin megabrand founder was just dubbed Citizen of the Year by the U.N. for his eco-advocacy. Richard Branson will now take your questions.

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Billionaire Richard Branson

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You own an airline. Isn't it hypocritical to be preaching about global warming? —Mandy Johnson, Des Moines, Iowa
I could sell the airline and those planes would carry on damaging the environment, or I could pledge 100% of the profits—which I have done—to developing clean fuels. Next year we plan to fly one of our 747s using a clean fuel to prove it can be done.

Do you think the government should push Big Business to be more environmentally friendly? —Emily James, Seattle
Yes. Without government leading the way, it is difficult for the whole country to cut back on our carbon footprint. The government needs to reduce taxes on people who are driving green cars or making their homes more energy efficient.

How are Virgin Megastores adapting to the downloading of movies and music? —Strickland Maney, Los Angeles
Music retailing is having an extremely hard time. Stores have had to reinvent themselves. For instance, we launched Virgin Mobile [a cellular provider heavy on hip downloads] and started selling other products like books and games that young people like. Virgin is perhaps one of the most adaptable companies in the world. If one of our industries gets hit, hopefully it is by another industry we are in.

How do you balance your desire for daredevil adventure with the risk of death? —Mengqiao Wang, Ithaca, N.Y.
As an adventurer, if I try to do something man has not done before—like cross the Atlantic in a hot-air balloon—I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end, though, you've got to take calculated risks; otherwise, you're going to sit in mothballs all day and do nothing. Life is a helluva lot more fun if you say yes rather than no.

Has your outlook been affected by the passing of your friend, the adventurer Steve Fossett? —Joshua Foster, Spartanburg, S.C.
People who really try to push boundaries often do not die in those pursuits. Lawrence of Arabia spent years fighting battles and got killed in a motorbike accident. When you're trying to achieve things man hasn't achieved before, you're trained for it. It's when you're off guard that things can be dangerous.

How do you decide which humanitarian projects to get involved with? —Dawn Gibson, Pasadena, Calif.
There are numerous, numerous problems out there, and we just try to use our entrepreneurial skills to make sure that the money we give helps as many people as possible. I am terrible at saying no. At work, my nickname is Dr. Yes.

Has your dyslexia hindered you in the business world? —Skye O'Brien, Dartmouth, Mass.
Strangely, I think my dyslexia has helped. When I launch a new company, I need to understand the advertising. If I can understand it, then I believe anybody can. Virgin speaks in normal language instead of using phrases that nobody understands, like "financial-service industry."

What is your beef with Rupert Murdoch? —Linda Weir, Santa Monica, Calif.
I have no personal beef with him. He made one or two moves that we believe were anticompetitive, so we've taken that to the authorities, who will decide if he's behaving in an anticompetitive way. But if he invited me to dinner, I would be happy to go with him.

Why did you name a plane after Stephen Colbert? —Brandy Weisman, London
I like to make people smile, and Colbert achieves that a lot. I love the way he mercilessly "takes the mickey" or has fun with the more extreme members of the Republican Party and, of course, pretends to be a Republican himself in such a clever way.

Will you ever cut your hair? —Elijah Alexander, Tunis
[Laughs.] I am lucky enough to still have it, so while I still do, I will keep as much as I can.