High-tech business can be pretty powerful (economically and sociologically) and patents or other elements of business strategy can be used to gain autonomy & exclusivity -- generally turned towards maximizing profitability.

But what if instead of focusing high-tech economic leverage myopically on profit, high-tech corporations were engaged (or formed from the outset) to work towards more progressive objectives? Wouldn't that impart a whole new flavor to activism? (Aikido Activism)

The newest version of the essay on this topic (tinyurl.com/2ujrf) is over at the tribe of the same name (aikidoactivism.tribe.net/). Curious what people think -- who's interest in pursuing the model.

Thx

Spidey

by the way, if you want an MSWord version of the essay complete with endnotes and graphics, pls send me your email address.
posted by:
Spidey
SF Bay Area
  • Socialism, communism ism ism ick.

    Wed, May 19, 2004 - 11:10 PM
    Spidey,

    I don't have the time to go into it whole-heartedly, but let me just say a lot of what you wrote is thinly disguised socialism and overall stems from a lack mindset. The Big Evil Corporate? The pursuit of profit and growth is one of mans BEST values- if done responsibly -yes.

    I honestly feel there are two general mindsets, those that fear change and growth, and those that know while things may not be the best, they will continually get better.

    We must be socially conscious as a collective- yes, only to the understanding that people should be our greatest asset. However sometimes they are not. Big deal. The Third world you so lightly touched on- is being built by our expanding industry. The manufacturing jobs leaving the First World leaves a lack, a vacuum, to be filled up by innovation and other industries. Men won’t starve, they will however be forced to retool and reinvent.

    I urge you to pick up

    “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand
    &
    “The New Barbarian Manifesto” by Ian Angell
    &
    “Who moved my cheese?” Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard

    I have to get back to work focussing on creating the largest amounts of profit I can.

    -Kevin
    • W.
      W.
      offline 0

      Re: Socialism, communism ism ism ick.

      Sun, May 23, 2004 - 7:20 PM
      I guess you really indited him.

      I'm curious what is this ism ism ick notion you got.
      Pretty powerful stuff is it straight from the fountainhead?

      I can identify differently by saying that the bulk of what goes on within the community necessities of the third world isn't very representative of the neo-liberal arm that you wish to flex over it. They may be battered by it but it has little to do with their sense of existance. It's just the abuse they are forced to take. Unfortunately, most people can survive abuse in relatively good order, cause for folks like yourself you get the notion that it needs to be dished out.

      Their sense of "world" shouldn't be dismissed so easily and in many a sense it is far more complex than you seem willingly to give it credit. Your point is short more than you not "having the time to go into it whole-heartedly". As to the notion of the "lack mindset", please do at least list or name your components and procedure for proper setting of a mind that you say is so in lack. I would only pick up your recommended books as door stops because the evil brutal world that they provocate is exactly what only a few people would actually want. Atlas Barbarian Cheese Manifestos, next you'll be telling us what recipe book to use.

      I can see that you'll probably go on "creating enormous amounts"...of what I would surely call into question.

      I actually appreciated Spidey's essay and hope that he gets a lot of positive feedback that he can use, rather than a tsk tsk ism ism ick and especially not a poo poo no reason from you. If you don't have the time to read someone's writing, why post a flame?
  • Not to go into specifics either, but at least

    " High-tech business can be pretty powerful (economically and sociologically) and patents or other elements of business strategy can be used to gain autonomy & exclusivity -- generally turned towards maximizing profitability.

    But what if instead of focusing high-tech economic leverage myopically on profit, high-tech corporations were engaged (or formed from the outset) to work towards more progressive objectives?"

    Sums up exactly the ethic and business set we model www.mobloguk.com on, and it works.

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