A travel newsletter I subscribed to occasionally offered stories by a guy named Winton Churchill. Oh, a wise guy, I concluded. Despite groaning about his humor, and perhaps his stability, I did conclude Churchill knew plenty about computers. He’d worked for Apple, knew Steve Jobs, toiled for other Silicon Valley concerns, some of which flamed out, tired of marginally-trained younger executives coming in to screw things up, and ultimately vowed if he were going to work for an idiot he’d be that idiot.

Several years ago he began his new role, helping people learn how to earn money through editorial and consulting opportunities on the internet. Earlier this month I attended his presentation at a conference in Quito, Ecuador for those who may one day seek a more tranquil and less expensive life abroad. During a six-hour discussion some valuable ideas were introduced, but they weren’t the most entertaining points, which emerged during the question and answer session.

“Did the kids make fun of you because of your name?” asked one conferee.

“Not too much,” said Churchill.

“Do people think you’re trying to be clever.”

“I’m not the first Winton Churchill. My father was. And he was born before Winston became famous. At the time of my father’s birth, Winston Churchill was the rather obscure Chancellor of the Exchequer. There are about thirty-five people in this room. I’ll give anyone a dollar who can name the current Chancellor of the Exchequer.”

No one claimed the prize.

“You and Winston look quite a bit alike,” said a third conferee. “Are you related?”

“They’ve done extensive DNA testing and determined that Winston and I are indeed from the same family.”

“Do you drink and smoke like Winston?” someone asked.

“No, I missed that gene.”