I was going to write a summary of the "Economics 2.0" book that I have just finished reading, but I thought that instead, I would direct you to browse the summary of this book that I've put up on wikisummaries.org.
I found the book very interesting, and full of summaries of various studies into economics issues. Study of economics is finally starting to take into account that not all human activities are guided by desire for profit. If they were, then Bill Gates would still be working at Microsoft, instead of spending billions of dollars trying to better peoples' lives.
Also, if I were motivated solely by money, I would not have spent my time (>15 hrs) writing up a summary of a book for free, to be read by strangers that I will never meet. Where would Wikipedia be if people did not volunteer hours and hours building this huge body of knowledge for all to use freely?
There are various ways that each of us can do charitable work. For some, charitable work is spending a day in a soup kitchen, or delivering meals to the poor. For others, donating money to a favourite charity is the preferred way of helping others. My preferred way to help is to share knowledge. I really like the concept of wikipedia and wikisummaries, as my one selfless act of committing information to a wiki, helps/teaches people over and over again.
I think that the only way we can make this world a better place for all is through sharing of knowledge. You can feed a person, and that will get him through the day. If you teach him something new, that will get him through life.
1 comment:
I was touched by this post, Ivan! Volunteering! It took me back to the speech you wrote for Toastmasters here in Ottawa, that explained the mantra, 'It is in giving that you receive'. I remember how surprised and warmed you were by the act of helping the woman whose car was giving her problems on Bronson & Riverside.
Your Wiki summaries are indeed helping people all over the world -- one word at a time. Bravo!
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