This website is dedicated to the proposition that through cooperative, courageous effort we can preserve a decent, meaningful, lifestyle for our descendants.
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 sustainability is social innovation and its adjuncts, social entrepreneurship, social invention, and social management. In a nutshell, using the power of financial and social capital and technology to promote a humanistic rather than a corporatist ethic. But even before we`look at applying the power of social innovation 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 innovator!
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.
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.