npr

A large portion of my daily news intake comes through NPR. I listen to it as I do dishes, eat lunch, or take a break in the afternoon. Today's theme was especially poignant for my re-focus on social issues.

The show was about a new book called Creative Capitalism by Michael Kinsley that advocates businesses to do good while doing business. His main subject for modeling how well this might work is Bill Gates, who founded the Gates Foundation and is being more than just a philanthropist in trying to solve social problems.

My main question--which wasn't addressed during the somewhat short segment I had a chance to catch--was what capitalist CEOs might think of this idea at a time when the economy is shrinking? After all, Gates had to first establish his fortune before using it for good. If we can't even establish our fortunes, then can we help others?

My resounding answer is YES. And, just as Mr. Kinsley pointed out, we really must for our own good. By being aware and helping others, we improve our inter-connected world. And that improves our own lives.

So, instead of focusing solely on making the big bucks (or even the small bucks, in my case), we need to be worried about the Other and divert our attention and resources in ways that mitigate our selfishness and improve the communities we are connected to.