During the last class when we were talking about the 4 sections of BC Healthy Communities view of a community as well as spiral dynamics, it struck me that the left sided, inner self attitudes determine what the right side, organizational decisions are. It doesnt matter how many rules and regulations we impose on north americans, there has to be a wholesale change in attitudes before we can, as a whole, move into the integration and holistinc MEMES.
Yesterday I was reading my favortie book, Uncle Johns Bathroom Reader, and I read a story about Hal Taussig. He owns a successful tourism company called Untours and potentially is very wealthy. BUT, he has chosen to live a very modest life. He donates all the profits from his company, save enough to pay his modest bills, and take care of his ailing wife. He doest own a car and bikes to work, even at the age of 81. His money all goes to aiding the poor to get out of poverty.
"If capitalism is good, it should be good for the poor," Taussig declares. "I invest in entrepreneurial efforts to help poor people leverage themselves out of poverty."
In my opnion our (western culture) idea of what we 'need' to live is extremely warped, when all we need is food, water, shelter and clothing. Unfotunatly, people like Hal are quite rare. Hopefully his story has and will continue to affect peoples attitudes. If everyone thought the way he does, the world would easily maintain sustainability.
Newf
Let your capital be simplicity and contentment," Henry David Thoreau
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1 comment:
Hey, glad you came across the story of Hal Taussig in that book. I actually work for his company, Untours, and he's just a down-to-earth guy as the book says.
Do you have any other interesting stories from the book to share?
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