This website is dedicated to the proposition that through cooperative, couragageous effort we can preserve a decent, meaningful, lifestyle for our descendents. Social evolution usually takes long periods of time. We don't have that kind of time. If we pursue our present course (we being Western society and western influenced societies) we will exhaust the carrying capacity of this planet for human beings within this century. Leadership that will reform our organizations, institutions, and our economic system is needed to replace this disastrous scenario with one highlighted by sustainable and equitable growth.

 

The modality that can achieve this is social entrepreneurship. That is, using the power of capital and technology to promote a  humanistic rather than a corporatist ethic. But even before we`look at applying the power of social entrepreneurship we need to do something simpler.

 

We need to talk with one another. To turn off the TV's, DVD's, home theatres, ballgames, computer games, CD's, et al and just talk. About how we can help, and support, and cooperate, and solve our problems together instead of just ignoring them until it is too late.

 

Then we must realize this great fact. Anyone and everyone can be a social entrepreneur!

If you are a teacher, teach about sustainability in your classes. If you are a designer design sustainable products or products that help the developing world (see Redesigning page), If you are a finance person, quit the hedge fund! Start a social enterprise investment fund! If you work for government stand up and push for conservation, recycling, mass transit etc.

 

The culture of acquisition and "meism" is a selfish and addictive one. Our way of life should not be based on ever increasing consumption. A culture of cooperation opens the heart and ultimately is a more satisfying one. It is also the culture that will allow the world to go on and provide a decent, satisfying life for your children and their children.  

 

Bob Kuttner, editor of American Prospect magazine, and author of the new book, "Squandering America", has some ideas that can serve as a good starting point of how we can restore balance to our society. He posits that a "Mixed Economy" incorporating progressive taxation, social investment, corporate regulation, and labor unions is the key to restoring more balance between the richest and the poorest. These are all things we supposedly have or used to have anyway.

 

I leave it to you, the reader, to explore this website and hopefully find other ideas or examples that will interest you, or better yet stir you to some sort of positive action. Please feel free to contact me with your feedback at any time at mark@socialprofits.com.