Thinking Ethics

More on direct philanthropy

As we move further into the digital age, disintermediation will continue and everyone will have more direct access to everything. Consumers now carry out part of the logistic tasks companies used to do. They create art and as a group decide what is the most relevant for them (music, films, photography, etc...). Consumers also have moved into co-design and co-creation. Governments are trying for transparency and direct access with the Direct Government initiatives.

So no surprise that philanthropy is going the same route. Bill Clinton has been telling everybody to participate in what they can give - time, money, skills... in his book Giving, how each of us can change the world. Matthew Bishop and Michael Green have taken this a step further in their Philanthrocapitalist Manifesto. They believe that the Common Good is not the sole domain of the public sector, and that after decades of government expansion in the social sector, budget reality will mean cutting out a lot of services. Public Private Partnerships could be one way of limiting the impact but it will mean a shift in the way we see the roles of the private and the public actors in social innovation.

The three main goals of this manifesto are more giving, more social innovation and better philanthropy. It is an idea that is becoming mainstream, that the winners of our capitalistic societies need to give back more than just pay their taxes. And corporations are expected now to do well by doing good. So we are at the beginning of a new way of giving. The UK and the US are way ahead of everybody with their incentives, and a whole host of organisations (Kiva.org, Globalgiving, Donorchoose, Facebook Causes...) now exists to support this trend. All of these people will be tackling the social challenges of the new century during a period of shrinking governement sector.

Charter for compassion

There is a new dialog around the world between the major religions, and between religions and non-religious groups called Charter for compassion. They have a one page summary and encourage people to sign up if they agree. They also call upon people to get involved by creating their own compassion event. It should spread like wild fire...

The end of character ?

If you are interested in the debate between philosophers versus psychologists, then this article is for you. David Brooks, in his op ed piece for The New York Times entitled "Where the wild things are" ,writes about the fact that "behavior does not exhibit cross-situational stability", puts character opposite a multiplicity of selves or a communiy of competing selves. The philosophers believe that we achieve through reason and willpower, the psychologists through evolution, culture and up-bringing. And of course, in this multi-everything world, David Brooks concludes that it is probably a combination of both...

Eco-Angst

Wow, a new term, and oh so true! As more information on products becomes available, we are faced with increasing moral dilemmas. Do we go for the toy with the cheap price and bright colors even though it comes from China, and they use lead in the paint ? And if we do are we going to feel guilty ? As ecological transparency increases, Daniel Goleman is announcing the Age of Eco-Angst. Good article and links on The New York Times

Women in philanthropy

We know about the success of microcredit, and the strong repayment rate  (over 98%) if the loans are given to women. The results on  children's education and raising the family out of poverty have been phenomenal.

Less known is the increase of women investing in other women via philanthropic funds. This trend is growing, even in these hard economic times. very interesting article by Betsy Brill in Forbes Magazine here.

Comic Relief

Very amusing video of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart about the MBA ethics oath that Harvard Business School students have been sending around to all the Business schools. Apparently, very few students sign the oath.

For comic relief, with MIT and Harvard students, view here.

Are we losing control over machines ?

Robots that open doors, recharge themselves and show empathy when interacting with a patient ? Not to mention uncontrollable computer viruses... The advances of Artificial Intelligence might mean the loss of human control over computer-based systems. Article on the subject in the New York Times here.

The good news is that the folks over at the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence are taking this seriously, and are following the changes in human-computer relationships from an ethical and social implications standpoint. Apparently, cyborgs and chimeras are already among us!

ECO fashion guide

Thread - is the online ethical fashion magazine of the BBC, dedicated to eco-fabulous style. In particular, you can download a free pack to organize a frock swap party - a fun and free way to renew your wardrobe in these challenging times.

Studies on cheating

Wonderful TED talk by Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist who shows us his experiments on why we think it is OK to cheat - and how this might explain the current financial crisis.

First impressions

Do apparences count ? Everybody will tell you that they do. That good looking people succeed better than less attractive ones. That it is very difficult to change a first impression. Some will argue that this is the reason why there is so much plastic surgery going around (ah yeah, and trying to stay young, that too). The search for perfection and success has led us to admire those with the right looks and disregard those who do not have them. Technology and surgery help I suppose to highlight singers or actors - trying to get both talent and looks in the same package.

But we still recognize talent when we see it, regardless of the packaging. I don't usually like reality shows, because I often find them to be a public embarrassement of the contestants. But I have to hand it to Britain's Got Talent. A scotswoman of 47 who can only be described as frumpy,came out and sang - and knocked their socks off. As the TV filmed audience reaction when Susan Boyle came onstage - you could see what they were thinking. One of the judges called the performance a wake-up call. It was written up in the Washington Post by Jeanne McManus under the title "The Dream She Dreamed - cheers for a voice to silence the cynics", and the Youtube video is a roaring success. Talent is talent, and I think we should not judge so fast and give people the benefit of the doubt. Susan Boyle's deam is to be a singer - I hope we will soon be able to say : and the rest is history...