Sethop’s Interesting Times

Philanthrogeek isn’t a word you see very often. Neither philanthrohack. In fact, as of today, 6 May 2006, google has zero references to either, so I guess I can claim a couple of neologisms.

I’m no great expert on philanthropy, but what I’ve noticed is that like everything else, the field is changing - people are giving away more earlier on in life, and “corporate philanthropy” is no longer a dirty word in a year end report. More sophisticated companies are making “giving back” a part of their corporate mission - “triple bottom line” thinking.

And I think more people are doing it out of a genuine desire to help, rather than work off guilt or garner good PR. Sure, some philanthropy is done for the wrong reasons. That doesn’t mean it will come to nothing, but it does mean that you have to look further than the headlines to figure out what’s really going on. This is particularly true when it comes to the matter of “Foreign Aid” which tends to be very much driven by realpolitik rather than a genuine desire to make a difference. [1]
I’m very interested in this sort of thing - how and why people are doing good. What really makes a difference and what just makes headlines. That’s why I consider myself a bit of a philanthrogeek.

What I really want to acheive is a few philanthrohacks. Do a lot with a little. I’ve got a few ideas, we’ll see how we go once the startup finally gets underway.

[1] Recent example: Japan gave 400m to developing nations with the implicit understanding that they would be joining the International Whaling Commission and voting for a return to commercial whaling. The Japanese govt deserves scorn rather than credit for this “generosity” but the money may still be used for good. On the other hand, it may just end up being embezzled - when you give “aid” as a bribe, you’re a bit less inclined to make sure it’s used for the right things.

Philanthrogeek isn’t a word you see very often. Neither philanthrohack. In fact, as of today, 6 May 2006, google has zero references to either, so I guess I can claim a couple of neologisms.

I’m no great expert on philanthropy, but what I’ve noticed is that like everything else, the field is changing - people are giving away more earlier on in life, and “corporate philanthropy” is no longer a dirty word in a year end report. More sophisticated companies are making “giving back” a part of their corporate mission - “triple bottom line” thinking.

And I think more people are doing it out of a genuine desire to help, rather than work off guilt or garner good PR. Sure, some philanthropy is done for the wrong reasons. That doesn’t mean it will come to nothing, but it does mean that you have to look further than the headlines to figure out what’s really going on. This is particularly true when it comes to the matter of “Foreign Aid” which tends to be very much driven by realpolitik rather than a genuine desire to make a difference. [1]
I’m very interested in this sort of thing - how and why people are doing good. What really makes a difference and what just makes headlines. That’s why I consider myself a bit of a philanthrogeek.

What I really want to acheive is a few philanthrohacks. Do a lot with a little. I’ve got a few ideas, we’ll see how we go once the startup finally gets underway.

[1] Recent example: Japan gave 400m to developing nations with the implicit understanding that they would be joining the International Whaling Commission and voting for a return to commercial whaling. The Japanese govt deserves scorn rather than credit for this “generosity” but the money may still be used for good. On the other hand, it may just end up being embezzled - when you give “aid” as a bribe, you’re a bit less inclined to make sure it’s used for the right things.