Rethos.com - kiadso's Global Feed

Santropol Roulant

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:26:04 -0400

Santropol Roulant is an award-winning community organization founded and run by young people in Montreal. We bring people together across generations and cultures through an innovative approach to meals-on-wheels, and by engaging youth to take an active role in their community. Santropol Roulant uses food as a vehicle to create trust and build bridges between individuals in a city where isolation among the elderly is the highest in Canada.

I consider myself a scientific person, encouraged by empirical evidence; so, at the surface Friedman’s argument for capitalism is compelling. Several problems arise, however, upon a more mindful take of his words. His examples are flawed, his history skewed, his definitions conflated.

First, the indigenous tribes of the world may object to his “crystal-clear” account of history, stating that only societies that exploit self-interest have escaped grinding poverty; although that is a fairly minor point. More surprising is ...

Carbon-Free Does NOT Require Nuclear

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:29:18 -0400

Many prominent science magazines argue that solving the environmental crisis requires that we use substantially more nuclear energy.

If this was true I'd be all for ignoring the many health risks (including intentional and unintentional explosion) and centralization aspect for the sake of the climate.

But, I discovered from talking to some folks at the Sustainable Energy Summit at Amherst, that it certainly is not true. And this article explains how we can reach a carbon-free and nuclear-free society in scientific yet understandable terms.

McCain can take his 45 n...

Selling the Fire Ball: George Bush and Iran

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:26:59 -0400

Great post from a Great site. It's an exchange between Media Lens participants and NY Times workers showing how the media is once again deceiving the public to allow another invasion.

Also Includes GUEST MEDIA ALERT: DAVID PETERSON RESPONDS TO OLIVER KAMM below

When George Bush arrived in Britain last week as part of his "farewell tour", the real reasons for the visit were buried well out of sight. The tour was not, as the Guardian suggested, a mere "continental au revoir". The purpose was to coerce Gordon B...

As Fire Approaches Big Sur Monastery Monks Prepare to Fight

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:20:23 -0400

TASSAJARA, CALIF. -- In this remote Zen enclave on Big Sur's forested backside, wildfires lurk on three sides. As flames edge closer and ash falls from a crimson sky, the Buddhist monks are readying for a final stand.

Priests and students alike at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center have been doffing their traditional black robes, hefting picks and shovels, and forging 10-foot-wide firebreaks. Atop the roofs of the monastery's old retreat cabins and meditation hall, they've jury-rigged plastic pipe sprinkler systems.

Perhaps more serene than some, they were amon...

Ally Request - Common Good Finance

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:18:52 -0400

ChicoBag founder Andy Keller on landfills, Bikram Yoga and his beef with plastic

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:32:45 -0400

There is no shortage of entrepreneurs inspired by the movie Wall Street or the stories of Sam Walton or Steve Jobs. I recently had the opportunity to interview Andy Keller, whose inspiration is a little more, shall we say, down to Earth.

CA -- Tell us about the origins of ChicoBag.

AK -- I used to sell software for an enterprise software company down in the Bay Area. I ended up getting laid off when the company was bought out by a company in the UK. The community and lifestyle in Chico (California) really appealed to me, so it was important...

Treehuggers to descend on Montreal

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:43:44 -0400

More than 165 exhibitors and 35,000 visitors are expected to descend on Montreal's Old Port for three days beginning June 13th, to share ideas about living more sustainably.

The "Salon national de l'environnement" (SNE) was developed out of a citizens’ initiative in 2006. The event looks at the current challenges to the environment and offers visitors concrete solutions. The event describes as its objective "to make visitors aware of today’s environmental challenges, while proposing solutions and tools for people to have a better understanding and to encourage beha...

Quebec and Ontario showing leadership with cap-and-trade program

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:47:50 -0400

The provinces of Quebec and Ontario have shown great leadership by working together to institute a bilateral "cap-and-trade" system in an attempt to curb green house gas emissions. When the Canadian federal government is dragging its heels on what most consider the most important issue curretnly facing humanity, bilateral initiatives between provinces or municipalities makes a good deal of sense.

This kind of autonomy and leadership at the provincial level is refreshing. A similar dynamic has existed for many years in the U.S., where despite an administration nearl...

New comment - 16 year old high school student discovers how to biodegrade plastic bags

Thu, 29 May 2008 11:56:08 -0400

Interesting. Bravo to the kid!

New comment - 16 year old high school student discovers how to biodegrade plastic bags

Wed, 28 May 2008 13:44:44 -0400

I remember the first time that I bought a "reusable" bag at the super market. I am still using it, but the bag will be here when I die and is going to be waste anyway. Moreover, every single store has its own reusable bag now; this is not the way to solve the problem. This kids made a great discovery, Let's hope that he gets the fundings to keep working on it.

What Gets Seventh Generationâ€™s â€œDirector of Corporate Consciousnessâ€ Out of Bed in the Morning?

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:41:01 -0400

What Gets Seventh Generation’s “Director of Corporate Consciousness” Out of Bed in the Morning?

An exclusive interview with Gregor Barnum, senior executive of Vermont-based Seventh Generation, one of the sustainability movement’s most innovative companies.

By Alex Salzman
May 19, 2008

Don’t let the altruistic job title fool you – Gregor Barnum and his cohorts at Seventh Generation are relentlessly pragmatic about building a sustainable company. I recently caught up with Barnum, who is part ethics s...

New comment - Rethos Announces An Exciting New Alliance

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:33:00 -0400

Good point. But it's great that people may learn more about what Rethos is about by association? Maybe there's more of a chance to make a difference!

On Alliance Politics

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:11:45 -0400

Animal Rights Africa (ARA) was launched last month in South Africa, with the One Struggle conference, "ushering in a brand new era of strengthened activism for animals. ARA is committed to the promotion of inclusive justice, showing compassion across species and building a better future through campaigns, research and analysis." Dr. Steve Best was invited to deliver the Keynote, as he has ...

New comment - Rethos Announces An Exciting New Alliance

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:04:24 -0400

This is an excellent point... the anarchist approach to a dysfunctional society is to deconstruct it, from the inside out... but an organization cannot do that if it decides its going to embrace only those methods of deconstruction that are "comfortable" and politely remind people to be "PC" at the same time! It's absurd! So re the "A" for anarchy being a part of the logo for the Alternative Channel: thst does feel like it co-opts the meaning and message of true anarchy... which is a shame. I agree with you, the project itself and the partnership with rethos is a good thing... but tha...

New comment - Rethos Announces An Exciting New Alliance

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:13:35 -0400

YAWP!~

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:21:50 -0400

I have meditated upon this dilemma, as well. A boycott of the Election would be effective only in extremely large numbers and this would take a lot of organization - almost like sponsoring a candidate - and a lot of publicity. I had wanted to form a general strike among customer service employees in Key West to highlight the poor conditions most people work under, the ineffectiveness of wage legislation and the absence of worker's rights. Even though we were a small island with a small population, the effort needed to get enough people involved and willing to go through with a strike was...

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:59:59 -0400

Bravo!! Wonderful, insightful, intelligent article! As a formerly-diagnosed ADHD kid now all grown up, I can relate and appreciate this piece tremendously. Thankfully, my mother had the insight and the fortitude to weather out the behavioral issues without medicating me... unlike all of these poor thousands of children who are sedated every day in our country. We need to stop allowing teachers, administrators, psychiatrists, misguided and tired parents, and the pharmaceutical companies the power to tamp out the small flames of independence and individuality that could become vast fires ...

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:17:23 -0400

Great article that gets you thinking. I experienced a case when a boys behaviour was the onset to a servere mental illness that has lasted 25 years of his adult life so far. Most bad behaviour may be normal but not in every case.

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:13:47 -0500

Very insightful post, Alec. It might be worth mentioning that there is a professor of psychiatry, Thomas Szasz, who has been arguing against the mainstream notion of mental illness for many years. From the description of his latest book, The Medicalization of Everyday Life (http://www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/fall-2007/medicalization-everyday.html): "Defining "medicalization" as the perception of nonmedical conditions as medical problems and nondiseases as diseases, Thomas Szasz has devoted much of his career to exposing the dangers of "medicalizing" the conditions of some who si...

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:01:17 -0500

Nicely stated Heather. I am particularly fascinated by the author's thesis that psychologists and psychiatrists are a class of people prone to excessive conformity and that this may account for their tendency to pathologize defiance. Perhaps the DSM V should have a new condition called CCD (Conditioned Conformity Disorder). Heather, please go out from high school and take your ideas and do great things with your life. We will all be the better for it.

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:49:49 -0500

I believe that there is no such thing as "excess" passion for liberty. As a high school student, I often feel like I am being "enslaved" in a way, being forced to follow rules that noone will/is required to explain to me. I understand that there need to be rules and regulations, but I also believe that the individuals being forced to abide by these rules deserve an explanation of why. And if/when they decide that they disagree with the rules, and chose to rebel against these rules, I think it's ludacris to label them as mentally ill. Rebellion is defined as "the resistance to or defiance of...

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:09:27 -0500

There should be the option to vote "None of the Above" on all ballots. This should include national elections down to any committee appointments on a community level. People should have the option to toss out all the candidates. This will help ensure parties, ideologies, corporate interests do not hijack the electoral process. Sometimes the best decision is not to make a decision at all. The cost of reholding an electrion is minimal compared to the mispending that may be done by a winning candidate who is merely the best of a bad lot. I have introduced this on several 'elections' w...

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:51:21 -0500

This is one of the most important issues facing us if we want to maintain a means of free expression outside the influence of the corporate monoliths. Alec has done a nice job of framing the duplicity of the telecoms.

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:13:52 -0500

I completely agree that the elections are a sham. What is the point of voting if the election is rigged from the start. Furthermore, as you have so eloquently stated, this is an artificial/illusory ‘nation state’ to begin with. However, I would like to believe there is a way to be counted and still not take part in this supposed ‘democracy’.

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:41:27 -0500

I understand your disenchantment with current politics and the people running for office, but I have to say that Iâ€™ve never understood the â€œdonâ€™t voteâ€ approach. It presupposes that politicians and the political parties will care that people arenâ€™t voting and I have yet to see that idea holding true. Politicians only care about those who vote â€“ itâ€™s why they can ignore so many issues that the younger generation cares about. Only when people start to vote do they, the politicians, start to listen.

Boycotting an election is very different from boycotting a company. ...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:13:53 -0500

Lynx, fascinating article, and a really interesting debate; thanks for the post. Hard to beleive it’s really happening, even when evidence is staring you in the face.

I agree absolutely that the US government has mistreated the Lakota (and all native American people), however I can’t help feeling that absolute secession is misguided. I worry that people seem to prefer splintering into smaller groups rather than embracing a united humanity.

Okay, that last is a little idealistic… I totally agree in local, sympathetic government – like the

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:49:06 -0500

The internet is the last true means for expression and free speech. Corporate America knows that, and will do whatever it takes to law down the law (via corporate government lobbyists)

The hole America is falling into in terms of corporate power and influence on government is one that is hard to get out of. Mark my words…it gets worse from here if nothing is done.

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:15:02 -0500

Lynx

Regarding the Lakota Freedom I can agree with you on the manipulation by the government however the tribe needs to take responsibility for the way they have mis-handled the allocated funds and allowed such control. For the most part the people want change but they are not willing to make the painful but necessary changes that need to be made.

This article is posted at www.chadrad.com and I think it will interest you. Not far from where I live (20 miles west) in Crawford, NE. there is a large uranium mine. the owners want another 2000 acres.

(NE) Coul...

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:45:36 -0500

Akeeba,

When you joined Rethos, you brought with you some great writings that produced interesting insights and asked important questions. Your presence in the community will be missed.

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:31:32 -0500

dawn – bringing more economic activity to the rez would definitely be a good thing, as you trightly point out. for the record that’s not what robert suggested, he suggested the rez’s – the only land in the country still nominally under native rule – should be abolished and the tribal governments essentially converted into corporations. which is a very very different thing then what you are suggesting.

i think you’ll find, if you follow the link provided in the article, that the Lakota involved in the independence campaign aren’t parti...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:43:11 -0500

I would like to respond to this article. The statistics above are accurate, I should know, I live just south of Pine Ridge South Dakota in Nebraska and I’m the intake coordinator for a substance abuse treatment center 20 mins from Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee, Porcupine, etc… I compile the outcome measures and statistics for our fiscal report and my calculations match up with the stats above. I understand what Robert is saying about bringing business to the reservations. The tribe is too connected and entrenched in government funding. If they pull funding the tribe will have mo...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:50:25 -0500

Robert, don’t be condescending. of course I know about the history of US imperialism vs. native people, wounded knee included. that’s why this move by the lakota is so important. and nobody’s talking about shedding blood, this is in’t a military move, it’s diplomatic and completely within legal channels. they’re not even holding protests that the feds could attack, instead they’re filing lawsuits and seeking diplomatic recognition. as far as being “for the sake of anarchy”, please do us all a favor and take the time to research a...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:59 -0500

Linx-The U.S. does not have a good track record when it comes to being compassionate about First Nation Issues. Have you ever come accross Wounded Knee in your studies? Despite the perceived legality of Secession, the reality of the situation is that US response has been shown through history as being swift and without compassion. I see no real practicial reason to see my brother’s blood shed needlessly (except for the sake of anarchy) when there are other means available.

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:03:49 -0500

Chris, quite honestly, your response demonstrates, to me, a general misunderstanding of the meaning of community and community-based economics. I’m not creating new content for Rethos.com at this time as I’m going to wait for social networking sites and technology that have community-based decision-making built into them (click here for an example). None of the other owners responded, that I know of, so I take that to mean your words represent them. Your reliance on the logic that “this is what other social networking si...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:54:29 -0500

robert – it is absolutely NOT an act of treason for a conquered nation to exercise their legal right to withdraw from a union they never willingly joined. lakota independence is 100% legal and an entirely appropriate response to ongoing genocidal policies by the settler government. being connected to the land is beautiful, but it doesn’t require being connected to the empire.

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:38:14 -0500

This article and lynxâ€™s response to my previous comment overlooks a crucial fact: our heritage is not tied to a piece of real estate. We are part of the land, despite any and all potilical conditions. Even though we are a conquered nation, we donâ€™t have to accept the â€œbenevolenceâ€ of the conquering race such as reserves and token handouts. Our identity is based on the strength of our connection to the land. The blood that courses through our veins come from the same source that emits the waters for our rivers and lakes, the nutrients and warmth that feed the plants that grow...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:36:09 -0500

deb, the answer is the the USA isnâ€™t really interested in helping the Palestinians, not when weâ€™re giving $80 billion + a year in military aid to the Israeliâ€™s to help murder them. US presidents for decades now have mad a show of helping to negotiate â€œpeaceâ€because we need oil from Palestineâ€™s Arab neighbors who are less then pleased at the genocide we are supporting, but itâ€™s really a stalling tactic that allows Israeli â€œsettlementsâ€ to take ever larger chunks of Palestinian land and for us to continue purchasing l...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:20:30 -0500

Why would the United States reach out to support the Palestinians and their quest for independence and sovereignity, and not the Lakotah? Why doesn’t the mainstream press even give this story a mention? I was attempting to comment on the commonality of their quest rather than who is right and who is wrong or who came first. I’m just curious, and didn’t intend to come off as supporting them just because they were here first! I’d like to see some light shed on the issue, so that I can better understand, rather than operate from my admittedly elementary perspecti...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:55:56 -0500

That note of “who was here first” sounds so first gradish. We are adults, the human species – so far as we have evolved anyway. NO, I don’t think this president will. There are too many injustices in this world and I can’t quit living because I can’t change them; but I can change my heart, my mind. Increase the “letting go” experience and hope that mankind will one day find that we are all from ONE source—what or how that is I cannot say, but I do believe that. In the meantime, I am going to live my li...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:21:33 -0500

Did anyone see the President’s speech this morning where he is encouraging the Israeli’s to allow the Palestenians, who were there first, to have their own nation? Will he give our Natives the same support?

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:47:10 -0500

Its a common theme for bloodless corporate evil doers to blur the distinction between laws and government. The current regulations which force AT&T to swallow the entire net when passing it on to DSL customers are content neutral and thus if AT&T wants to do business through its phone lines it cannot reach into its network stream and, for example, block Google until it pays a network toll for the privilege. That’s good law and the government that enforces it is good government. That’s law that really says ‘Hands off the internetR...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:30:24 -0500

As a person with First Nation ancestry, I have found that using materialism based statistics as social indicators does not provide a clear illustration of social conditions. A more profound approach would relate On-Reserve conditions to those experienced by First Nation individuals living off reserve. Its fairly well known that conditions experienced in reserves would not be tolerated in other communities (building codes, health codes and such have been developed to deal with substandard conditions). The apartheid like system of reserves serves mostly to segregate and isolate, and furt...

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:31:32 -0500

thanks for spreading the word…..one needs only to look at China’s governmental grip on the internet to know that there are limits to the freedom we think we have on the net. The fact that the internet is easily controlled by the powers that be is critical information..in the USA the powers are corporations, NOT the government.

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:30:20 -0500

Nice Post. I also think their is a problem with ologopolies with pricing scams. I know I am paying like $45 a month for 10m down and 512k up. Yes thats not even 1m up, now those who might care are asking what I need this speed for, but mainly PODCASTS and IPTV. Yes, I want those HDTV quality clips that are gigs in size. I know FiOS is pushing the envelope, before I moved, I had 20 down and 5 up for $39.99!

So I think these ISP are not only blocking and creating “their&#...

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:11:39 -0500

JUSTICE is often a dream for those most deserving of it, and well is it known that uncountable are the masses who have lived to wait out the rule of Law (as it is supposedly understood in this greatest of all countries). But this nation, known as America, was stolen from those who had lived in peace and prosperity with common and cosmic driving forces through not only declarations and treaties entered into with little more than a trusting certificate of title; in a time, unremarkable for anything so heinous as brought about in the language of genocide, on this...

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:15:19 -0500

Hi Akeeba,

Iâ€™m sorry for the delay in getting back to you. As you may have noticed, weâ€™ve been working hard during the past several weeks to deploy some new features to Rethos. Due to that and some other initiatives, Iâ€™ve been focusing more on the back end of the website and spending much less time that I would like engaged in the communityâ€™s activity.

Firstly, your questions are valid and we thank you for taking the time to raise them. Responding to them gives us a chance to broaden membersâ€™ understanding of Rethos, its mission and where it is heading. ...

New comment! - Baby Girl

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:47:17 -0500

What a beautiful child! Yours reminds of a poem by the 19th century Zen poet Ryokan:

With no mind the flower attracts the butterfly With no mind the butterfly reaches the flower

The flower doesn’t know Neither does the butterfly

No knowing, not knowing Each fulfilling the dance of the universe

New comment! - Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:44:11 -0500

Where oh where did you get that wonderful drawing? Wonderful article. Here’s another perspective: http://www.ericnunnally.net/2Nuts/?p=209

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 06:40:25 -0500

I appreciate the responses and the pledge to be more open from Chris. Thank you.

1) Can you explain why the following is in the privacy policy:

“We use the information that you provide for the following general purposes: to fulfill your requests for certain services offered through the Site, to contact you, and to provide our corporate and non-profit partners with access to your our communityâ€™s opinions and preferences to forward the rethos mission.”

“We also may use or share with third parties for any purpose aggregated data that contai...

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:16:31 -0500

We recently updated this posting to respond directly to concerns about privacy. The following is the new section we added that addresses concerns raised by Kiadso and Akeeba:

Does Rethos sell its membersâ€™ personal information?

A member has recently voiced concerns about Rethosâ€™ privacy policy. We wish to clarify that we do not sell our membershipâ€™s personal information and have no intention of ever doing so. We believe that this would be a deeply cynical move, and would totally fly in the face of Rethosâ€™ mission.

Moreover, we have never aske...

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:00:20 -0500

I agree that privacy and handling of personal information is a major issue that has been raised on this thread. Just today, there was an Associated Press story about Facebook’s “Beacon,” and the controversy surrounding this application’s disclosure of user information.

When I signed up as a rethos member I didn’t give the site any personal information, other than what is on my profile, which is also public and available for anyone to see. I’m not worried about my personal information because I haven’t disclosed any. A web site can’...

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:15:52 -0500

Thank you Pablo, Alex and Chris. I truly believe this site to have the right idea and from what I can tell, the right people behind it. People who believe a site like this could exist without financial backing live in a dream world. Continue doing what you have to do and I whole-heartedly believe that the people who genuinely want to make a difference in this world will follow.

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:58:28 -0500

I can speak briefly here. My name is Jason Boyer and I helped Alex with some PR when the site was still relatively new and have occasionally participated in discussions regarding Rethos.com potential outcomes. One thing that come out of our initial discussions is the phrase under Rethos; “A PLATFORM for change”. Firstly indicated here is that this is only a platform (i know a play on words). Secondly is that change is needed. Alex is a graduate from Princeton University with a focus on economics. I’d hoped that he would be more clear with ever...

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:57:53 -0500

Thank you, Pablo, Alex, and Chris for posting this explanation. Your play on words (company, corporation, business) reminds me of a few discussions regarding Thanksgiving and White Supremacy I had lately. Also, I’m disappointed that you all didn’t address more details regarding what Rethos.com is doing with the information gained from the site and whether or not it’s being sold.

“Companies that are community members, like organizations (or rich individuals), can in addition sponsor content and or functionality that contribute to the user experience of ...

Ally Request - Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:15:21 -0500

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 19:48:04 -0500

I agree completely Ian, let’s set the incentives to be “ethical, virtuous, and moral.” Generally, that would entail setting up an artificial market where the incentives run beneficially, because from current evidence, market pressures create a slavish system. The most profitable thing to do is have your product made as cheaply as possible, and sell it as expensively as possible. Hence sweatshop products being sold to rich people. The only reason this would ever change is if some company said, we are a responsible company and pay our wage-slaves double what they pay and ...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:41:45 -0500

Akeeba, your post gives me the slight sensation that you judge me as greedy. I might be far off, and if I am, please tell me and I appoligize in advance.

In any case, if I was greedy, trust me, I wouldn’t have started my career in the music business!

In regards to your comment: “Notice the possessive manner in which Ian writes about ‘his’ teachers. Humans cannot be owned”

I could have easily said my people, my family, etc. This does not translate to me believing I own them. In fact, its important that I disclose that the teacher...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 06:57:25 -0500

Ian: “Are you saying that if my little music school grows to be big, it will be unethical? Its values will be out the door?”

Answer: YES

Reason from Ian: “But, the reality is, I deserved every last penny I made from it. I bled for that company and sacrificed a lot of my life for it. I worked 7 days a week for years. In fact, I had my teachers telling me to pay them less!”

(Notice the possessive manner in which Ian writes about ‘his’ teachers. Humans cannot be owned. Notice how he assumes his suf...

New comment - A short story on racism

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:52:49 -0500

Nicely written. If some the members of Rethos are as provoked as seemingly intended I will be disappointed. Here’s to the elegance of well executed prose on a difficult subject. I hope this will spark a dialog on the subject of racism, something that effects every single United States citizen greatly.

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:44:30 -0500

Bollocks! As long as the CEO of a publicly held corporation is subject to the laws governing corporations in the United States he/she has one, and only one, duty to perform and failure to exercise all of his/her abilities and resources in the service of that duty is a breach of that duty: that duty is to maximize profits for the shareholders. Any diversion of resources or wealth to projects or processes or the promotion and sale thereof is a breach of that fiduciary duty unless they are specifically designed to increase the fiscal bottom line.

Until th...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:16:48 -0500

Mr. Treadwell, you mention:”...You start with a small corner store and end up with an unethical, life insurance-taking out, bullying, giant of a complex, because the profit motive drives the whole process.”

Are you saying that if my little music school grows to be big, it will be unethical? Its values will be out the door?

Here is the reality; Corporations are not evil. Its the people that run them who are. Set the incentives to make a company ethical, virtuous, and moral and it will be.

I am sure many of you might say that this is not possible; ...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:55:06 -0500

That really reinforces the problem with the corporate capitalist structure. You start with a small corner store and end up with an unethical, life insurance-taking out, bullying, giant of a complex, because the profit motive drives the whole process.

It’s just that when they’re little you don’t really have to worry about them because their power isn’t as overwhelming as your News corp’s and Clearchannel’s…yet. Given enough time the structure moves toward the life-dominating corporations we see now.

It is precisely this reason,...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:31:41 -0500

Fullmoonmedia, you mentioned: ”...comparing corner stores and Wal-Marts.” Ironically, all corporations start that way; as a corner store. Just as Walmart did.

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:37:43 -0500

“Power today resides in control of the means of production, exchange, publicity, transportation and communication. Whoever owns them rules the life of the country, even if democratic forms remain. Business for private profit through private control of banking, land, industry reinforced by command of the press, press agents and other means of publicity and propaganda, that is the system of actual power, the source of coercion and control, and until it’s unravelled we can’t talk seriously about democracy and freedom.” ~~-John Dewey~~-

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:25:56 -0500

Amen.

Ian, we applaud your effort and respect your company. We understand people generally have good intentions. Do you think the receptionist at Kaiser Permanente likes to turn down life-saving procedures, or that Ford managers enjoy laying off thousands of people? The good intentions of any corporation on the stock exchange is limited by the growth of the profit margin. Any altruistic action that doesn’t make money will never happen. Tell me, how the hell do you make money from allowing the community you serve and employ have a say in distributing profits, something tha...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:18:50 -0500

Well what a fine debate!

If I may chime in…

So-called “Social Responsibility” is clearly in opposition and empirically opposed to the bottom line (profit) where corporations are concerned. If nothing changes regarding the “appropriate” behavior of corporations, (whether by interventions or levees or legislation), then there will be no incentive for corporations to take on any responsibility other than the ONE they currently maintain: a responsibility to maximize profits for their investors (period).

Any...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:55:00 -0500

Richard brings some very interesting commentary. However, what Richard is doing is what we call projection; because a couple of corporations that are harmful to humanity, all corporations must therefore be the same.

Unfortunately, this is very far from reality. The reason why I actually take offense to this depiction is because, I work for a corporation that does good things for people. And, the reality is, there are a lot more corporations like the one I work for then the large corporations that Richard depicts.

Let me tell you a story that may make you appreciate s...

Alliance Accepted! - Alec Henderson

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 03:56:06 -0500

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:29:21 -0500

Ian, I think you severely underestimate the craftiness of the corporate world and overestimate its legitimacy.

Why should we even bother to pester and prod these organizations time and time again, just constantly trying to get them to stop their greedy ways? Boycott after boycott, trial after trial, struggle after struggle. Here’s the ultimate problem – they aren’t going to do an inch more than they have to, to make money. Its always going to be an uphill battle. True, starting a co-op based society is an uphill battle as well, but at least once its set off we...

Alliance Accepted! - Will

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:06:56 -0500

Alliance Accepted! - Fernando

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:08:43 -0500

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:42:41 -0500

Kiadso,

You say: “I cannot for one minute imagine a corporation taking anything from an article posted on Rethos and making a company policy decision based on it. Corporations on Rethos would want to be on Rethos not to learn from us, but to SOLICIT us.”

You’re partially right on this. A corporation does wants to solicit you. However, corporations would join the Rethos community specifically for the purposes of learning from you. How can they sell to you if they don’t know what it is that you want?

You say: &...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:40:39 -0500

Ian,

You say: “We are being afforded the opportunity to influence “powerful” corporations, and to discard such an opportunity is sensless.”

That’s an interesting take on this situation, but I disagree. It sounds like you’re saying that because corporations are powerful, we should feel grateful for the chance to beg them not to abuse their power that they shouldn’t have anyway? Also, I cannot for one minute imagine a corporation taking anything from an article posted on Rethos and making a company policy decision based on it....

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:44:10 -0500

I think that yes, there could be a wholly socially resonsible corporation. The point, however, is that there never has been one and never will be one, since once a corporation becomes completely socially responsible, it ceases to be defined as a corporation. I believe that this is the case, but if anyone thinks differently, please respond.

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:15:28 -0500

Akeeba, I’m glad the ideas I present help you develop your own. Michael Albert’s economic vision ParEcon has helped me a lot. Look it up on www.znet.org

If you, or anyone else, haven’t looked at zmag and znet definitely check them out. Znet is a great place to regain your strength after taking a beating from the corporate media all day. Zmag is the original magazine.

Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and other notable progressive activists have blogs on there and very lively debate is commonplace. Give it a look.

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:49:11 -0500

I like to see corporations as well, but only to learn about their practices. The fact that they are on this site most certainly does not mean that they are courageously trying to make a difference by throwing themselves at our mercy. It means, we are a profitable market, and they are trying to get us to buy their stuff any way they can. Now I think this is a great idea. Let’s tell them what we want.

We want you, corporations, to pay laborers a standard minimum wage… 10 dollars an hour. We want you to become directly accountable to the public, meaning, if a community...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:08:46 -0500

Akeeba, lets be clear on something (and please re-read my post cause clearly you have misinterpreted). I have never stated that the anti-corporate and non-corporation-based writings to be “ramblings.” The defintion of rambling is “going on for a long time” and when I refer to it, I refer to our discussions which we carry out as a community which do not draw out change. A proposed solution is great, but how do we implement it? This is where I see working with corporations beneficial. They have the ability to implement our propositions.

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:36:26 -0500

Ian, it’s unfortunate that you consider many of the anti-corporate and non-corporation-based writings to be “ramblings.” I don’t feel the way to fundamental economic and social change is to create profit-seeking corporations draped in green colors. Let’s not encourage people to start corporations (where only the few people at the top will most likely benefit) and instead, encourage people to start cooperatives (Like Richard states) that are based on mutual benefit instead of profit. Thanks for your ideas, Richard.

Even if the next person to be a...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:15:32 -0500

Interesting post Kiadso. However, I do feel like we are taking the inclusion of corporations on this site in the wrong fashion.

I see Rethos as a tool. A tool that allows us to educate, influence, and help make this world a better place. Rethos, from my understanding, is a platform for change. And the only way to start such a change is to initiate a discussion.

I want to see corporations on this site. I want to hear what companies are doing to make a difference and look at how genuine their intentions are. I want us to propose solutions and I want these corporations t...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:26:45 -0500

Meet the new boss-same as the old boss…

Alliance Accepted! - Chris Advansun

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:14:00 -0500

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:20:12 -0500

I thought that you would be interested in viewing this website because I think it represents a beginning for fighting the tide of corporate destruction. It uses art and good research and mostly healthy skepticism to reveal the dangers of falling for the Global Corporate Line. Dow Chemical has tried to convince us all about their good citizenship…and this site unmasks them brilliantly. Seeing is a beginning. I’d be interested in your reactions.

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Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:42:19 -0500

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Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:41:17 -0500

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:32:21 -0500

Right on Kiadso, seeing this on rethos has worried me too. The imagination cannot even entertain the idea of a democratic corporation…its just not possible. Corporate divisions of labor are demeaning and corrupting. Corporate promises of environmental friendliness, or whatever are but illusions, because continual profit expansion just does not logically coincide with social justice and equity. The money and wealth have to be channeled somewhere right? And I don’t think a corporation will ever give up its profits to better the community..except for shallow charity work used t...

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:17:57 -0500

This will definitely be my last comment if I find out Rethos.com is selling my information to anyone, including “socially responsible” corporations.

New comment! - Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:11:21 -0500

Yes! Exactly!!! Beneath the protesting and lobbying are people and their families. One must have great courage and strength in order to stand up to the status quo within one’s family. In our case, it’s standing up to right-wing conservatives within our family. Or just standing up to apathetic centrists. Or standing up to brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers.

I hope to create a family where the norm is to care about and discuss the issues of the world surrounding us, to talk to one another in order to find the truth, to examine and critically think about the ...

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Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:22:13 -0500

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Sat, 03 Nov 2007 10:13:48 -0400

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Alliance Accepted! - ilya ginzburg

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:22:30 -0400

Please come to Los angeles for Darfur Rally

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:07:10 -0400

Monday October 15 in Downtown LA 12 noon!!!

Help to stop American Investment in Darfur! Join me in downtown Los Angeles for a rally!

Click here to sign up

Senior Manager, Youth Programs

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:43:17 -0400

War Child Canada Senior Manager, Youth Programs

War Child Canada, a registered Canadian charity providing humanitarian assistance to children affected by war, is currently looking for a qualified individual to fill the position of Senior Manager, Youth Programs. This individual will be responsible for overseeing, developing, managing and implementing War Child Canadaâ€™s highly successful youth programming â€“ a cornerstone of our education, outreach and fundraising activities. WCC works with thousands of young people from across Canada and the United...

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Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:01:23 -0400

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Tue, 02 Oct 2007 11:18:37 -0400

Enter Title:

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:00:26 -0400

Here is the site http://www.solv.org/programs/fall_beach_cleanup.asp Here is a map http://www.solv.org/programs/beach_cleanup_zone.asp

New comment - Christianarchy is here!

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:38:36 -0400

Have you read any Tolstoy? Right up your alley…

New comment - Christianarchy is here!

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:31:31 -0400

Pleased to see you on here

Rethos.com - kiadso's Global Feed

Santropol Roulant

Carbon-Free Does NOT Require Nuclear

Selling the Fire Ball: George Bush and Iran

As Fire Approaches Big Sur Monastery Monks Prepare to Fight

Ally Request - Common Good Finance

ChicoBag founder Andy Keller on landfills, Bikram Yoga and his beef with plastic

Treehuggers to descend on Montreal

Quebec and Ontario showing leadership with cap-and-trade program

New comment - 16 year old high school student discovers how to biodegrade plastic bags

New comment - 16 year old high school student discovers how to biodegrade plastic bags

What Gets Seventh Generationâ€™s â€œDirector of Corporate Consciousnessâ€ Out of Bed in the Morning?

New comment - Rethos Announces An Exciting New Alliance

On Alliance Politics

New comment - Rethos Announces An Exciting New Alliance

New comment - Rethos Announces An Exciting New Alliance

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

New comment - Teenage Rebellion Now Considered Mental Illness

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

New comment - Participatory Democracy? Step One: Stop Voting!

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

New comment - Cable Giants want our Internet and they are Willing to Cheat to Get it!

New comment - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment! - Baby Girl

New comment! - Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

New comment - Businesses, Corporations and Companies in the Rethos Community

Ally Request - Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment - A short story on racism

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Alliance Accepted! - Alec Henderson

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

Alliance Accepted! - Will

Alliance Accepted! - Fernando

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

New comment! - The Silliness of CSR ("Corporate Social Responsibility")

What Gets Seventh Generationâ€™s â€œDirector of Corporate Consciousnessâ€ Out of Bed in the Morning?