heavyd and vrudny,
I have not met Soros, but from what he writes I have good impression. At least he is interested in the scheme of things and not just the money. The same for hedge-funds in general. All hedge-fund managers (or even some venture capitalists) I met were always nice people. Originally I thought they must be arrogant and cut-throat, keeping all the secrets to themselves, but not at all. They were all very rational thinkers, and well interested to share their views (since it helps them if other people join the particular trade). I would almost say that some of them are heros, since they foster good economics, taking money from the crooked companies and investing it in the productive ones. What’s better in life than stand up for the right thing and make money too.