[geeks] Flicker users u in arms over MS acquisition...

[Sandwich Maker]

" From: Shannon Hendrix <shannon at widomaker.com>
" 
" On Feb 4, 2008, at 10:59 AM, Brian Dunbar wrote:
" 
" >> Microsoft wants to be the sole supplier of computer software  
" >> worldwide.
" >> End of story.
" >>
" >
" > When you put it like that ... well it's rather elegant: a business  
" > doing what it does (maximi$e profit$) the most efficient way it can.
" 
" That is not the proper function of business.
" 
" Business is merely one tool of many for the operation of a civilization.
" 
" A business which focuses only on profit is a broken business.

but by its inherent nature the corporation is one-dimensional; it's
overriding purpose is to make money for stockholders.  -anything- it
does along the way is mrerely a side effect.  there are no other
carrots, and the only sticks are legal ones.

[i'll add that i believe strongly that not knowing anything about the
widgets your corporation makes its money from is dangerously
narrow-minded, but b-school dogma is that only money matters]

" It's not sustainable to operate that way, and it does a lot of  
" unacceptable damage even if it were.

agreed - but how do you change the corporate ecology so that they
-want- to operate [more] sustainably?
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen
adh at an.bradford.ma.us                       and think what none thought