dagblog - Comments for "The Overstated Importance Of Philanthrocapitalism"

I agree, though I add a

Michael Maiello — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:38:32 +0000

In reply to There is a lot here to riff

I agree, though I add a wrinkle... These people have the power, through their philanthropy, to impose their views of the good life on others.

There is a lot here to riff

Anonymous Trope — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 21:41:36 +0000

In reply to The Overstated Importance Of Philanthrocapitalism

There is a lot here to riff on, but the first thing the comes to mind is that philanthropy tends to be associated with the tycoons and other uberwealthy folks. It may be that the word itself is a big, high fulutent word. When the common folk give a donation, they are being nice or generous.

It may also be philanthropy is considered the practice of performing charitable actions that promotes or increases the well-being of humankind. While not necessarily always the action of giving money, philanthropy is generally associated with financial contributions, and the common folk are not in a financial situation to make giving their money away as some form of practice.

Thus, giving a one-time donation of a billion dollars is an act of philanthropy. But one cannot call oneself a philanthropist. Just as someone who meditates once shouldn't say one practices meditation.

The tycoons and their ilk, however, are in a position to make contributions to promote the well-being of others (being it for malaria medicine or the arts). A key point is that the motivation to embrace this practice is not really relevant to whether they are practicing or not. If PR (whether the public is the people of the community or the god(s) who decide one's afterlife fate) is the motivation doesn't change the intent to improve the well-being of others

I think I'm feeling Dismal

PeraclesPlease — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 09:03:15 +0000

In reply to Ha! Well, here's something

I think I'm feeling Dismal already - don't try to engage my enthusiasm because I haven't got one.

FINE!!! But you like me more,

tmccarthy0 — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 05:18:34 +0000

In reply to Ha! Well, here's something

FINE!!! But you like me more, because I said so!

/That.Is.All

There's a reason it's

kyle flynn — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 04:59:53 +0000

In reply to It isn't really morally

There's a reason it's referred to as giving back.

Ha! Well, here's something

Michael Maiello — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:29:20 +0000

In reply to That does it - Michael, I

Ha!

Well, here's something that you and TMac are just going to have to live with -- I like and respect you both and I never mind being challenged by intelligent people. So, you're just going to have to have a Happy New Year!

That does it - Michael, I

PeraclesPlease — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:09:48 +0000

In reply to Listen up Mike, Bill Gates

That does it - Michael, I officially proclaim you right, me wrong - mea culpa, my bad, sorry to have bothered you. I'll check my facts better in the future. 10 Hail Mary's Full of Grace, 3 aspirin and call you in the morning...

(and yes, Gates certainly knew how to play hardball, and I imagine has taken full advantage of all those foreign tax shelters and H3B visas and what-not)

I think that there are plenty

Michael Maiello — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:05:59 +0000

In reply to Listen up Mike, Bill Gates

I think that there are plenty of people who competed with Microsoft who don't feel as warmly about Gates.

I could have edited it, but I

Aaron Carine — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 21:06:03 +0000

In reply to You bastard. I had a funny

I could have edited it, but I thought I'd be manly, and let people have some laughs at my expense.

You bastard. I had a funny

Michael Wolraich — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:01:44 +0000

In reply to I edited your comment for ya,

You bastard. I had a funny reply to Aaron's third comment, and now it's ruined!