You really hit plenty of points here. The truth is that there are still lots of people who never want anyone to outlive them either by diligence or whatever. Perhaps they think they may be here forever. As you said, there are some businesses that have gone with their owners. The truth is that knowledge is multiplied when it is taught to others - this works for me in wondrous ways. When you show work or how it's done to your employees or those at the helm of affairs and you pay or treat them well, they will most likely stay around. For example, big tech companies' CEO like that Microsoft know the ways around to start up theirs but I guess they choose to stay around and earn! Now, the companies will be here perhaps forever!