I’m considering starting a non-profit dedicated to reminding people of the wonders of sharing. As kids, we’re taught to share, and kids seem to understand the power of sharing. Yet there are many industries today trying their hardest to make sharing out to be a bad thing. I hope my non-profit might remind people of the amazing power of sharing.
Of course, I don’t know the first thing about running a non-profit, and only some idea of what I hope it might accomplish. It just seems like the right message at the right time, I guess. I figure things will solidify more as I progress.
Want to help? Share your thoughts!
I often recall the words of Yoda during his first encounter with Luke Skywalker, “MINE MINE MINE MINE!” 🙂
remember too, as pointed out by ralph’s reference, that sharing begins with owning or possessing. Can’t share something you don’t own…
So I know which companies to avoid, could you point out a few that don’t share?
Funny you should mention that, I’ve been thinking about the same thing, only to help companies recycle their unused devices/products in an environmentally way that also helps the economy of the poor. But when do I have time for such a thing?
Anyway, here is a good start:
http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/znpbib.htm
Sure you can. I don’t own the planet, but I do share it with some smartass friends. 🙂 I share the road with cyclists, to use an example you can appreciate. I also share jokes, sometimes even funny ones! And I share a lot of my thoughts and life here on MT.Net. Sharing doesn’t just mean “things.”
The industries I’m thinking of the RIAA and MPAA. While I absolutely respect their right to protect their product, I think their approach gives sharing overall a bad name.
Open source is one example of the power of sharing. The Internets couldn’t run if it wasn’t for sharing, for instance. There are many, many others, not just in technology but everywhere. I think people just need to be reminded of this.
The RIAA folks share. They share the costs of an obsolete business model with all of us. Think of sharing next time you buy an album for $20. 🙂
Mark, I think you’re splitting hairs….of course we don’t “own” the planet so I think you don’t really “share” it. We live on it together. That’s different then sharing. You talk about how kids learn to share. I think that use implies ownership.
Um, you don’t share the road with cyclists…you’re compelled by local laws to abide by rules that allow cyclists the right to be there just as you have the right to be there in your car.
Sure, opensource is a great example but someone “owned” that idea first and decided to share it with the community. They had possession and ownership first and then gave it away and produced something better.
I don’t think the RIAA or MPAA are sharing anything…in fact, they’re basically applying an outdated business model that doesn’t reflect sharing at all.
But, then again I’m just a crazy ass libertarian! 🙂
One more thing…As a cyclist, I love the “Share the Road” campaign but its a misnomer. Its just a way of letting drivers know that we’re out there and please don’t kill us or throw stuff at us. By law, we have just as much right as cars but the problem is I’m riding an open vehicle that ways about 9-10 pounds and I’m basically pleading with cars not to hit me because well….that outcome would be very one-sided! 🙂
man…I’m just lovin’ the blogs today…
Anyway, my point is that people must come to sharing on their own. It means more to them. Do you ever remember when you were a kid and you got something new and you had a friend over and you fought over playing with it? Then your parents stepped in and made you give it up? Well, it felt like crap. That wasn’t sharing…its basically the same as taxation! 🙂 But, how about the time when you really had something cool and loved it and then let your friends experience it. Like a cool new song or some clothes you had bought. You willing (free will here) shared and it was the coolest thing to see someone else enjoy it as much as you.
That’s the power right there! So, I’m just saying that as you move forward with your sharing idea is to realize that sharing must not be compulsory. Illustrating the power of sharing without demanding is essential. These companies need to know why its good for them….believe it or not, sharing is selfish! You get a reward of a good feeling and community respect when you do. Your ego gets bigger but that’s ok. Its great even because everyone gets something out of it…
Ok, I’m done rambling
I remember reading a book about our democracy where the author talked about the falicy of “checks and balances”. He made the point that it is not checks and balances that preserve our democracy; but, the commitment of the general population to a belief in fairness and other high minded principles. If checks and balances were the only thing that people belived in, then people would contend for power until all of it was concentrated in a few people that no one could check or balance. As it is, we use the checks and balances to control what we believe to be wrong behavior based on ideals of equality and freedom.
hey ralph….werd