so this story began for me about 10 years ago I was a senior level manager
years ago I was a senior level manager
years ago I was a senior level manager of a large multinational corporation and
of a large multinational corporation and
of a large multinational corporation and I was working on developing sustainable
I was working on developing sustainable
I was working on developing sustainable business strategies and we were charged
business strategies and we were charged
business strategies and we were charged with how to come up with it and in the
with how to come up with it and in the
with how to come up with it and in the term at the time was even more of an
term at the time was even more of an
term at the time was even more of an abstraction than it is today
abstraction than it is today
abstraction than it is today few of us understood what the word meant
few of us understood what the word meant
few of us understood what the word meant and even fewer of us were building
and even fewer of us were building
and even fewer of us were building business strategies around it and the
business strategies around it and the
business strategies around it and the interesting thing is it’s not as if the
interesting thing is it’s not as if the
interesting thing is it’s not as if the word was new or is new back in the late
word was new or is new back in the late
word was new or is new back in the late 60s the Club of Rome had given us the
60s the Club of Rome had given us the
60s the Club of Rome had given us the idea of sustainability as a concept and
idea of sustainability as a concept and
idea of sustainability as a concept and in 1987 a UN Commission gave the term
in 1987 a UN Commission gave the term
in 1987 a UN Commission gave the term the definition that goes something like
the definition that goes something like
the definition that goes something like this sustainability is the ability to
this sustainability is the ability to
this sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without
meet the needs of the present without
meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
compromising the ability of future
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs now
generations to meet their needs now
generations to meet their needs now armed with that definition I work for a
armed with that definition I work for a
armed with that definition I work for a company that lived by the bottom line
company that lived by the bottom line
company that lived by the bottom line the single bottom line right and so that
the single bottom line right and so that
the single bottom line right and so that my bosses would come up to me and they
my bosses would come up to me and they
my bosses would come up to me and they would ask me on a regular basis you know
would ask me on a regular basis you know
would ask me on a regular basis you know Mike how are we gonna make money on
Mike how are we gonna make money on
Mike how are we gonna make money on sustainability and I pondered this
sustainability and I pondered this
sustainability and I pondered this question and thought about it and one
question and thought about it and one
question and thought about it and one night as I’m sure all of us do in this
night as I’m sure all of us do in this
night as I’m sure all of us do in this age I was searching the web for answers
age I was searching the web for answers
age I was searching the web for answers and I came across a an initiative out of
and I came across a an initiative out of
and I came across a an initiative out of Georgetown University a Jesuit
Georgetown University a Jesuit
Georgetown University a Jesuit initiative called the Woodstock business
initiative called the Woodstock business
initiative called the Woodstock business conference and as I read the material on
conference and as I read the material on
conference and as I read the material on this page I had an epiphany an insight
this page I had an epiphany an insight
this page I had an epiphany an insight opened up for me
opened up for me
opened up for me and I realized that business isn’t just
and I realized that business isn’t just
and I realized that business isn’t just about profits in fact it’s about so much
about profits in fact it’s about so much
about profits in fact it’s about so much more
more
more yet if we don’t take the time to think
yet if we don’t take the time to think
yet if we don’t take the time to think about it and consider this stuff we will
about it and consider this stuff we will
about it and consider this stuff we will not understand that now if you buy into
not understand that now if you buy into
not understand that now if you buy into the notion that we need to become
the notion that we need to become
the notion that we need to become sustainable by the definition if we buy
sustainable by the definition if we buy
sustainable by the definition if we buy into the notion that business is more
into the notion that business is more
into the notion that business is more than simply profitability then we might
than simply profitability then we might
than simply profitability then we might ask ourselves a few questions such as
ask ourselves a few questions such as
ask ourselves a few questions such as why don’t we just export our way of life
why don’t we just export our way of life
why don’t we just export our way of life to the rest of the planet so before we
to the rest of the planet so before we
to the rest of the planet so before we even begin to answer that question
even begin to answer that question
even begin to answer that question consider this at 300 million people in
consider this at 300 million people in
consider this at 300 million people in this country we comprise four percent of
this country we comprise four percent of
this country we comprise four percent of the world’s population yet we consume
the world’s population yet we consume
the world’s population yet we consume more than 25 percent
more than 25 percent
more than 25 percent the world’s output of energy so science
the world’s output of energy so science
the world’s output of energy so science says which is a pesky place where
says which is a pesky place where
says which is a pesky place where alternate effects don’t exist that we’re
alternate effects don’t exist that we’re
alternate effects don’t exist that we’re not capable of doing this right that’s
not capable of doing this right that’s
not capable of doing this right that’s kind of what the science says so if you
kind of what the science says so if you
kind of what the science says so if you buy into the science and if you buy into
buy into the science and if you buy into
buy into the science and if you buy into the notion that business is more than
the notion that business is more than
the notion that business is more than simply profitability and if you buy into
simply profitability and if you buy into
simply profitability and if you buy into the notion that we need to become
the notion that we need to become
the notion that we need to become sustainable then what are we to do well
sustainable then what are we to do well
sustainable then what are we to do well I would suggest that what we need in
I would suggest that what we need in
I would suggest that what we need in this age is a new philosophy for
this age is a new philosophy for
this age is a new philosophy for business and some of you out there might
business and some of you out there might
business and some of you out there might say well you know what Mike I get it but
say well you know what Mike I get it but
say well you know what Mike I get it but philosophy and business don’t go
philosophy and business don’t go
philosophy and business don’t go together
together
together I disagree each one of us gets out of
I disagree each one of us gets out of
I disagree each one of us gets out of bed every day with a worldview or a
bed every day with a worldview or a
bed every day with a worldview or a philosophy about life and the truths in
philosophy about life and the truths in
philosophy about life and the truths in the in the fact is this is true of
the in the fact is this is true of
the in the fact is this is true of corporations as well and business and
corporations as well and business and
corporations as well and business and generally how we look at the world so
generally how we look at the world so
generally how we look at the world so what I would suggest is what we have is
what I would suggest is what we have is
what I would suggest is what we have is an opportunity to borrow on the
an opportunity to borrow on the
an opportunity to borrow on the tremendous wealth of philosophical
tremendous wealth of philosophical
tremendous wealth of philosophical traditions that emerge from our culture
traditions that emerge from our culture
traditions that emerge from our culture Western philosophical traditions and
Western philosophical traditions and
Western philosophical traditions and that we need to look at that and borrow
that we need to look at that and borrow
that we need to look at that and borrow on the rich heritage that we have there
on the rich heritage that we have there
on the rich heritage that we have there the very heritage that gives us the
the very heritage that gives us the
the very heritage that gives us the country in which we live in the way we
country in which we live in the way we
country in which we live in the way we look at the world as Americans
look at the world as Americans
look at the world as Americans so what let’s just do that for a bit
so what let’s just do that for a bit
so what let’s just do that for a bit let’s travel back 2500 years back to the
let’s travel back 2500 years back to the
let’s travel back 2500 years back to the time of Socrates now Socrates was an
time of Socrates now Socrates was an
time of Socrates now Socrates was an interesting sort of guy he would walk
interesting sort of guy he would walk
interesting sort of guy he would walk around the streets of Athens and he
around the streets of Athens and he
around the streets of Athens and he would come up to people and ask them why
would come up to people and ask them why
would come up to people and ask them why do you think the way that you do what
do you think the way that you do what
do you think the way that you do what does the term justice mean to you and he
does the term justice mean to you and he
does the term justice mean to you and he was trying to get people to think a bit
was trying to get people to think a bit
was trying to get people to think a bit more differently about how they looked
more differently about how they looked
more differently about how they looked at the world and of course Socrates
at the world and of course Socrates
at the world and of course Socrates taught Plato who in turn taught
taught Plato who in turn taught
taught Plato who in turn taught Aristotle and here and we have the
Aristotle and here and we have the
Aristotle and here and we have the tripartite of Western philosophical
tripartite of Western philosophical
tripartite of Western philosophical traditions now this etching here is a
traditions now this etching here is a
traditions now this etching here is a depiction of one of the stories that
depiction of one of the stories that
depiction of one of the stories that Plato gives us and it’s called the
Plato gives us and it’s called the
Plato gives us and it’s called the allegory of the cave and in this picture
allegory of the cave and in this picture
allegory of the cave and in this picture or in the story
or in the story
or in the story prisoners are inside a cave and they’re
prisoners are inside a cave and they’re
prisoners are inside a cave and they’re chained in such a way that the only
chained in such a way that the only
chained in such a way that the only thing that they can see are shadows on a
thing that they can see are shadows on a
thing that they can see are shadows on a wall the only thing that they can hear
wall the only thing that they can hear
wall the only thing that they can hear our aleut are echoes and whispers in
our aleut are echoes and whispers in
our aleut are echoes and whispers in fact their entire lives are illusions
fact their entire lives are illusions
fact their entire lives are illusions and Plato suggested that many of us go
and Plato suggested that many of us go
and Plato suggested that many of us go through life in the same way we live in
through life in the same way we live in
through life in the same way we live in sort of an illusion of what reality is
sort of an illusion of what reality is
sort of an illusion of what reality is I would submit to you that our illusion
I would submit to you that our illusion
I would submit to you that our illusion in this age is framed by incessant
in this age is framed by incessant
in this age is framed by incessant advertising advertising that tells us
advertising advertising that tells us
advertising advertising that tells us that the way to happiness is through
that the way to happiness is through
that the way to happiness is through consumption that if we have more stuff
consumption that if we have more stuff
consumption that if we have more stuff we will be happier that we find the
we will be happier that we find the
we will be happier that we find the bigger car we’ll be happier if we
bigger car we’ll be happier if we
bigger car we’ll be happier if we remodel a house we’ll be happier and so
remodel a house we’ll be happier and so
remodel a house we’ll be happier and so forth and so on this is an illusion now
forth and so on this is an illusion now
forth and so on this is an illusion now let’s fast forward to the 18th century
let’s fast forward to the 18th century
let’s fast forward to the 18th century and the philosopher William friedrich
and the philosopher William friedrich
and the philosopher William friedrich hegel hegel said that the way we look at
hegel hegel said that the way we look at
hegel hegel said that the way we look at the world is something that goes like
the world is something that goes like
the world is something that goes like this we all sort of share a dominant
this we all sort of share a dominant
this we all sort of share a dominant view of the world he called that the
view of the world he called that the
view of the world he called that the thesis then he said that there are small
thesis then he said that there are small
thesis then he said that there are small groups of us who share a lesson dominant
groups of us who share a lesson dominant
groups of us who share a lesson dominant view an emergent view of the world he
view an emergent view of the world he
view an emergent view of the world he called that the antithesis he said that
called that the antithesis he said that
called that the antithesis he said that its were always an attention between the
its were always an attention between the
its were always an attention between the thesis and the antithesis and what
thesis and the antithesis and what
thesis and the antithesis and what emerges from that is the synthesis
emerges from that is the synthesis
emerges from that is the synthesis eventually the synthesis becomes the
eventually the synthesis becomes the
eventually the synthesis becomes the dominant way of seeing the world and we
dominant way of seeing the world and we
dominant way of seeing the world and we progress throughout human history
progress throughout human history
progress throughout human history advancing hopefully to a greater level
advancing hopefully to a greater level
advancing hopefully to a greater level of civilization our thesis the way we
of civilization our thesis the way we
of civilization our thesis the way we see the world in this country primarily
see the world in this country primarily
see the world in this country primarily especially what it has to do with
especially what it has to do with
especially what it has to do with business and markets and how those sorts
business and markets and how those sorts
business and markets and how those sorts of things function is given to us by
of things function is given to us by
of things function is given to us by this gentleman here he’s an
this gentleman here he’s an
this gentleman here he’s an eighteenth-century fellow
eighteenth-century fellow
eighteenth-century fellow his name is Adam Smith what Adam Smith
his name is Adam Smith what Adam Smith
his name is Adam Smith what Adam Smith looked at his front door he saw a world
looked at his front door he saw a world
looked at his front door he saw a world controlled primarily by the crown in
controlled primarily by the crown in
controlled primarily by the crown in fact if you were born at the lower rungs
fact if you were born at the lower rungs
fact if you were born at the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder your
of the socio-economic ladder your
of the socio-economic ladder your chances of going up were about as close
chances of going up were about as close
chances of going up were about as close to zero as one could imagine and what he
to zero as one could imagine and what he
to zero as one could imagine and what he said was we need to liberalize things we
said was we need to liberalize things we
said was we need to liberalize things we need to open things up a little bit more
need to open things up a little bit more
need to open things up a little bit more and allow people to move up the
and allow people to move up the
and allow people to move up the socio-economic ladder if you think about
socio-economic ladder if you think about
socio-economic ladder if you think about it back then if you wanted to start a
it back then if you wanted to start a
it back then if you wanted to start a business back in Smith’s day you would
business back in Smith’s day you would
business back in Smith’s day you would have to petition the crown to charter
have to petition the crown to charter
have to petition the crown to charter your business businesses were chartered
your business businesses were chartered
your business businesses were chartered by the crown that was the only way you
by the crown that was the only way you
by the crown that was the only way you could start it so he gives us the way we
could start it so he gives us the way we
could start it so he gives us the way we see the world today which is the free
see the world today which is the free
see the world today which is the free market primarily obviously others
market primarily obviously others
market primarily obviously others contributed to that but now if you
contributed to that but now if you
contributed to that but now if you fast-forward toward the end of the 19th
fast-forward toward the end of the 19th
fast-forward toward the end of the 19th century and you imagine yourself in
century and you imagine yourself in
century and you imagine yourself in London England and you’re walking around
London England and you’re walking around
London England and you’re walking around the streets of London and the coal
the streets of London and the coal
the streets of London and the coal mining industry and you notice that
mining industry and you notice that
mining industry and you notice that there are
there are
there are children working in the coal mines and
children working in the coal mines and
children working in the coal mines and maybe you’ll run into characters like
maybe you’ll run into characters like
maybe you’ll run into characters like Dickens Ebenezer Scrooge not very nice
Dickens Ebenezer Scrooge not very nice
Dickens Ebenezer Scrooge not very nice people right and then you might begin to
people right and then you might begin to
people right and then you might begin to understand what so enraged Karl Marx
understand what so enraged Karl Marx
understand what so enraged Karl Marx about unbridled capitalism the trouble
about unbridled capitalism the trouble
about unbridled capitalism the trouble is in our age though if you long for the
is in our age though if you long for the
is in our age though if you long for the good old days what you’ll do is you’ll
good old days what you’ll do is you’ll
good old days what you’ll do is you’ll quote Smith ad infinitum you’ll talk
quote Smith ad infinitum you’ll talk
quote Smith ad infinitum you’ll talk about how the visible hand of the market
about how the visible hand of the market
about how the visible hand of the market is going to somehow lift up humanity and
is going to somehow lift up humanity and
is going to somehow lift up humanity and make the world a much better place the
make the world a much better place the
make the world a much better place the trouble with this is is that actually a
trouble with this is is that actually a
trouble with this is is that actually a co-opted reading of Smith’s works Smith
co-opted reading of Smith’s works Smith
co-opted reading of Smith’s works Smith wrote two very important books once
wrote two very important books once
wrote two very important books once called Moral Sentiments and the other is
called Moral Sentiments and the other is
called Moral Sentiments and the other is called Wealth of Nations now if you’re a
called Wealth of Nations now if you’re a
called Wealth of Nations now if you’re a one-percenter and you think that all of
one-percenter and you think that all of
one-percenter and you think that all of existence is driven by profitability you
existence is driven by profitability you
existence is driven by profitability you skip Moral Sentiments and jump right to
skip Moral Sentiments and jump right to
skip Moral Sentiments and jump right to the wealth of nations in ergo we have
the wealth of nations in ergo we have
the wealth of nations in ergo we have what is called neoliberalism and the
what is called neoliberalism and the
what is called neoliberalism and the narrative for neoliberalism goes
narrative for neoliberalism goes
narrative for neoliberalism goes something like this government is wrong
something like this government is wrong
something like this government is wrong government is the problem
government is the problem
government is the problem regulations are the problem we need to
regulations are the problem we need to
regulations are the problem we need to get regular government out of business
get regular government out of business
get regular government out of business and oh by the way the only people in
and oh by the way the only people in
and oh by the way the only people in government ought to be people who run
government ought to be people who run
government ought to be people who run businesses because government ought to
businesses because government ought to
businesses because government ought to be run by a business that’s the
be run by a business that’s the
be run by a business that’s the narrative now I’m not sure about you but
narrative now I’m not sure about you but
narrative now I’m not sure about you but when I look at thoughtful government and
when I look at thoughtful government and
when I look at thoughtful government and thoughtful policy I am very thankful for
thoughtful policy I am very thankful for
thoughtful policy I am very thankful for it especially when it comes to things
it especially when it comes to things
it especially when it comes to things like child labor laws now emergent from
like child labor laws now emergent from
like child labor laws now emergent from our infatuation with capitalism are a
our infatuation with capitalism are a
our infatuation with capitalism are a couple of paradigms I’d like to talk
couple of paradigms I’d like to talk
couple of paradigms I’d like to talk about right now one is called
about right now one is called
about right now one is called consumerism and the other is called the
consumerism and the other is called the
consumerism and the other is called the shareholder value model a consumerism is
shareholder value model a consumerism is
shareholder value model a consumerism is a way of thinking is framed primarily by
a way of thinking is framed primarily by
a way of thinking is framed primarily by a couple of principles when it emerged
a couple of principles when it emerged
a couple of principles when it emerged back in nearly part of the 20th century
back in nearly part of the 20th century
back in nearly part of the 20th century they they are that earth has an
they they are that earth has an
they they are that earth has an unlimited abundance of materials from
unlimited abundance of materials from
unlimited abundance of materials from which we can make stuff and the second
which we can make stuff and the second
which we can make stuff and the second is a little Limerick
is a little Limerick
is a little Limerick the solution to pollution is dilution if
the solution to pollution is dilution if
the solution to pollution is dilution if you remember I was taught that years and
you remember I was taught that years and
you remember I was taught that years and years ago and that is obviously many of
years ago and that is obviously many of
years ago and that is obviously many of us are laughing and that’s not true
us are laughing and that’s not true
us are laughing and that’s not true but let’s break down consumers I’m going
but let’s break down consumers I’m going
but let’s break down consumers I’m going to look at it a little bit more
to look at it a little bit more
to look at it a little bit more carefully consumerism begins well let me
carefully consumerism begins well let me
carefully consumerism begins well let me give you the
give you the
give you the finition of it first before we go here
finition of it first before we go here
finition of it first before we go here so consumerism is defined as the notion
so consumerism is defined as the notion
so consumerism is defined as the notion that ever-increasing consumption of
that ever-increasing consumption of
that ever-increasing consumption of goods leads to a healthy and vibrant
goods leads to a healthy and vibrant
goods leads to a healthy and vibrant economy ever-increasing consumption
economy ever-increasing consumption
economy ever-increasing consumption that’s the definition so begin something
that’s the definition so begin something
that’s the definition so begin something like this we extract materials and that
like this we extract materials and that
like this we extract materials and that sort of thing from the earth chemistry’s
sort of thing from the earth chemistry’s
sort of thing from the earth chemistry’s steel model and on that steel but the
steel model and on that steel but the
steel model and on that steel but the minerals and so forth that we produce
minerals and so forth that we produce
minerals and so forth that we produce stuff with which takes a lot of energy
stuff with which takes a lot of energy
stuff with which takes a lot of energy in the form of fossilized fuels highly
in the form of fossilized fuels highly
in the form of fossilized fuels highly concentrated energy in the form of
concentrated energy in the form of
concentrated energy in the form of fossilized fuels the next step is the
fossilized fuels the next step is the
fossilized fuels the next step is the refinement and the production of the
refinement and the production of the
refinement and the production of the stuff that we use so we take the
stuff that we use so we take the
stuff that we use so we take the minerals and raw materials and turn them
minerals and raw materials and turn them
minerals and raw materials and turn them into the product the building blocks of
into the product the building blocks of
into the product the building blocks of what we’re going to produce such as
what we’re going to produce such as
what we’re going to produce such as automobiles and TV sets and
automobiles and TV sets and
automobiles and TV sets and refrigerators and so forth and then
refrigerators and so forth and then
refrigerators and so forth and then because the system demands
because the system demands
because the system demands ever-increasing consumption we
ever-increasing consumption we
ever-increasing consumption we essentially get rid of what we have to
essentially get rid of what we have to
essentially get rid of what we have to make room for the new and improved
make room for the new and improved
make room for the new and improved version of essentially the same thing
version of essentially the same thing
version of essentially the same thing and so this is what we wind up with we
and so this is what we wind up with we
and so this is what we wind up with we throw it away at the end we call this as
throw it away at the end we call this as
throw it away at the end we call this as a very simple linear model take make
a very simple linear model take make
a very simple linear model take make waste now the problem with it is it is
waste now the problem with it is it is
waste now the problem with it is it is that it’s predicated on three
that it’s predicated on three
that it’s predicated on three assumptions that are patently incorrect
assumptions that are patently incorrect
assumptions that are patently incorrect the first of which is that there is a
the first of which is that there is a
the first of which is that there is a limitless supply of materials in the
limitless supply of materials in the
limitless supply of materials in the Earth’s crust the second of which is
Earth’s crust the second of which is
Earth’s crust the second of which is that there is a limitless supply of
that there is a limitless supply of
that there is a limitless supply of highly concentrated energy in the form
highly concentrated energy in the form
highly concentrated energy in the form of fossil fuels and finally and the most
of fossil fuels and finally and the most
of fossil fuels and finally and the most importantly that earth can absorb all
importantly that earth can absorb all
importantly that earth can absorb all the garbage that we put into it all
the garbage that we put into it all
the garbage that we put into it all three of those are patently incorrect
three of those are patently incorrect
three of those are patently incorrect now we’ll move on to the next one this
now we’ll move on to the next one this
now we’ll move on to the next one this is the Chicago School of Economics and
is the Chicago School of Economics and
is the Chicago School of Economics and it’s favorite Sun Minister Milton
it’s favorite Sun Minister Milton
it’s favorite Sun Minister Milton Friedman and he gives us the notion that
Friedman and he gives us the notion that
Friedman and he gives us the notion that the purpose of business is to maximize
the purpose of business is to maximize
the purpose of business is to maximize shareholder value he wrote an article in
shareholder value he wrote an article in
shareholder value he wrote an article in The New York Times in 1970 where he put
The New York Times in 1970 where he put
The New York Times in 1970 where he put forth this idea and it has taken nearly
forth this idea and it has taken nearly
forth this idea and it has taken nearly 50 years but finally educators and
50 years but finally educators and
50 years but finally educators and business leaders are waking up to the
business leaders are waking up to the
business leaders are waking up to the notion that this is one of the most
notion that this is one of the most
notion that this is one of the most bankrupt ideas ever to hit humanity in
bankrupt ideas ever to hit humanity in
bankrupt ideas ever to hit humanity in fact in the latter part of the 1970s
fact in the latter part of the 1970s
fact in the latter part of the 1970s while he was the president at Quaker
while he was the president at Quaker
while he was the president at Quaker Oats Kevin Mason is quoted as saying
Oats Kevin Mason is quoted as saying
Oats Kevin Mason is quoted as saying maximizing shareholder value is no more
maximizing shareholder value is no more
maximizing shareholder value is no more the purpose of business than eating is
the purpose of business than eating is
the purpose of business than eating is the purpose of life
the purpose of life
the purpose of life one would hope that life is a little bit
one would hope that life is a little bit
one would hope that life is a little bit more challenging and broader than simply
more challenging and broader than simply
more challenging and broader than simply eating of course the problem with this
eating of course the problem with this
eating of course the problem with this idea is that it’s this greed make good
idea is that it’s this greed make good
idea is that it’s this greed make good idea is that it is caused untold human
idea is that it is caused untold human
idea is that it is caused untold human suffering it has led to the
suffering it has led to the
suffering it has led to the justification for globalization and
justification for globalization and
justification for globalization and literally the frenetic acceleration of
literally the frenetic acceleration of
literally the frenetic acceleration of consumerism the problem of course with
consumerism the problem of course with
consumerism the problem of course with these two paradigms is that they are
these two paradigms is that they are
these two paradigms is that they are simple linear paradigms that the purport
simple linear paradigms that the purport
simple linear paradigms that the purport to explain things as complex as human
to explain things as complex as human
to explain things as complex as human nature itself and nature and of course
nature itself and nature and of course
nature itself and nature and of course that they don’t work very well for that
that they don’t work very well for that
that they don’t work very well for that there isn’t any time right now to get
there isn’t any time right now to get
there isn’t any time right now to get into all of the peer-reviewed and
into all of the peer-reviewed and
into all of the peer-reviewed and validated science that is telling us
validated science that is telling us
validated science that is telling us overwhelmingly that our behavior is
overwhelmingly that our behavior is
overwhelmingly that our behavior is having a negative and significant
having a negative and significant
having a negative and significant negative impact on the environment and
negative impact on the environment and
negative impact on the environment and it’s not just climate change it’s
it’s not just climate change it’s
it’s not just climate change it’s everything that we do from
everything that we do from
everything that we do from industrialized agriculture to the
industrialized agriculture to the
industrialized agriculture to the pharmaceuticals we flush down the toilet
pharmaceuticals we flush down the toilet
pharmaceuticals we flush down the toilet daily everything that we’re doing under
daily everything that we’re doing under
daily everything that we’re doing under the consumerist model is having a
the consumerist model is having a
the consumerist model is having a negative effect on the environment in
negative effect on the environment in
negative effect on the environment in fact in August of last year geologists
fact in August of last year geologists
fact in August of last year geologists took another significant step toward
took another significant step toward
took another significant step toward calling this age the Anthropocene which
calling this age the Anthropocene which
calling this age the Anthropocene which means that if geologists are around
means that if geologists are around
means that if geologists are around millennia from now to study the
millennia from now to study the
millennia from now to study the fossilized record of this age they will
fossilized record of this age they will
fossilized record of this age they will see that we had a significant impact on
see that we had a significant impact on
see that we had a significant impact on it and to me that is one of the most
it and to me that is one of the most
it and to me that is one of the most telling examples of how significant our
telling examples of how significant our
telling examples of how significant our behavior is on the environment and what
behavior is on the environment and what
behavior is on the environment and what it’s doing to it you know just to put
it’s doing to it you know just to put
it’s doing to it you know just to put this into context and give it some scale
this into context and give it some scale
this into context and give it some scale back in the latter part of the 60s in
back in the latter part of the 60s in
back in the latter part of the 60s in the early 70s when we saw the first
the early 70s when we saw the first
the early 70s when we saw the first images of Earth from space from the
images of Earth from space from the
images of Earth from space from the Apollo missions we began to realize just
Apollo missions we began to realize just
Apollo missions we began to realize just how remote we are in space and how
how remote we are in space and how
how remote we are in space and how fragile this system is what we see from
fragile this system is what we see from
fragile this system is what we see from space is an eleven point three mile
space is an eleven point three mile
space is an eleven point three mile thick veil that covers earth the akin to
thick veil that covers earth the akin to
thick veil that covers earth the akin to of wrapping a basketball with cellophane
of wrapping a basketball with cellophane
of wrapping a basketball with cellophane and within that thin veil all of life is
and within that thin veil all of life is
and within that thin veil all of life is contained
contained
contained it took 4.5 billion years for this to
it took 4.5 billion years for this to
it took 4.5 billion years for this to emerge and for us as modern human beings
emerge and for us as modern human beings
emerge and for us as modern human beings we’ve only been here for about a hundred
we’ve only been here for about a hundred
we’ve only been here for about a hundred and twenty thousand years
and twenty thousand years
and twenty thousand years and in the last roughly 300 years we’ve
and in the last roughly 300 years we’ve
and in the last roughly 300 years we’ve begun to threaten the stability of this
begun to threaten the stability of this
begun to threaten the stability of this system because of our behavior at the
system because of our behavior at the
system because of our behavior at the core of our behavior is the hubris the
core of our behavior is the hubris the
core of our behavior is the hubris the likes of which have never before been
likes of which have never before been
likes of which have never before been seen and the way we see things we look
seen and the way we see things we look
seen and the way we see things we look past the complex mystery of life we see
past the complex mystery of life we see
past the complex mystery of life we see earth not so much as an interrelated web
earth not so much as an interrelated web
earth not so much as an interrelated web of life and existence infused with
of life and existence infused with
of life and existence infused with spirit but rather as a machine the
spirit but rather as a machine the
spirit but rather as a machine the purpose of which is to generate money
purpose of which is to generate money
purpose of which is to generate money our way of seeing the world denies what
our way of seeing the world denies what
our way of seeing the world denies what Plato taught us denies what he said was
Plato taught us denies what he said was
Plato taught us denies what he said was most important and that is it’s not the
most important and that is it’s not the
most important and that is it’s not the material it isn’t the sense8 it isn’t
material it isn’t the sense8 it isn’t
material it isn’t the sense8 it isn’t the commodification of all things but
the commodification of all things but
the commodification of all things but rather the intangibles
rather the intangibles
rather the intangibles that’s what Plato taught us are the most
that’s what Plato taught us are the most
that’s what Plato taught us are the most important there is so much more to life
important there is so much more to life
important there is so much more to life than simply what is before us in the
than simply what is before us in the
than simply what is before us in the material so we’ve heard about a lot of
material so we’ve heard about a lot of
material so we’ve heard about a lot of this today where we talk about these
this today where we talk about these
this today where we talk about these things the intangibles and their value
things the intangibles and their value
things the intangibles and their value what I would suggest to you today is
what I would suggest to you today is
what I would suggest to you today is that emerging before us in this age is
that emerging before us in this age is
that emerging before us in this age is the Hague lien dialectic the antithesis
the Hague lien dialectic the antithesis
the Hague lien dialectic the antithesis struggling to find its voice is a new
struggling to find its voice is a new
struggling to find its voice is a new way of seeing reality and a new way of
way of seeing reality and a new way of
way of seeing reality and a new way of proposing business a way of proposing
proposing business a way of proposing
proposing business a way of proposing business that holds up as important
business that holds up as important
business that holds up as important Plato’s intangibles and sets them as
Plato’s intangibles and sets them as
Plato’s intangibles and sets them as guiding principles of how business ought
guiding principles of how business ought
guiding principles of how business ought to be run in his book spirit of
to be run in his book spirit of
to be run in his book spirit of leadership the Jesuit father Robert
leadership the Jesuit father Robert
leadership the Jesuit father Robert Spitzer points out that the intangibles
Spitzer points out that the intangibles
Spitzer points out that the intangibles of spirit vision and Trust are worthy of
of spirit vision and Trust are worthy of
of spirit vision and Trust are worthy of our investment organizations that invest
our investment organizations that invest
our investment organizations that invest in spirit vision and Trust are capable
in spirit vision and Trust are capable
in spirit vision and Trust are capable much greater depths of creativity and
much greater depths of creativity and
much greater depths of creativity and adaptability the very things that we
adaptability the very things that we
adaptability the very things that we need to survive in the ages to come when
need to survive in the ages to come when
need to survive in the ages to come when we take spirit vision and Trust and
we take spirit vision and Trust and
we take spirit vision and Trust and translate that into a tangible way of
translate that into a tangible way of
translate that into a tangible way of seeing things we turn ourselves to John
seeing things we turn ourselves to John
seeing things we turn ourselves to John elkington’s book cannibals with Forks
elkington’s book cannibals with Forks
elkington’s book cannibals with Forks where he proposes the triple bottom line
where he proposes the triple bottom line
where he proposes the triple bottom line of people planet and profit this gets
of people planet and profit this gets
of people planet and profit this gets passed
passed
passed looking at the business as being only
looking at the business as being only
looking at the business as being only there to generate profits for ownership
there to generate profits for ownership
there to generate profits for ownership what Elkington says is that businesses
what Elkington says is that businesses
what Elkington says is that businesses need to focus on also creating planet
need to focus on also creating planet
need to focus on also creating planet value by lowering their negative
value by lowering their negative
value by lowering their negative environmental impacts they need to
environmental impacts they need to
environmental impacts they need to invest in the dignity of the human
invest in the dignity of the human
invest in the dignity of the human person within the organization and
person within the organization and
person within the organization and within the communities in which they
within the communities in which they
within the communities in which they operate and thereby create social
operate and thereby create social
operate and thereby create social capital this is the triple bottom line
capital this is the triple bottom line
capital this is the triple bottom line and we began with talking about how it
and we began with talking about how it
and we began with talking about how it is such an abstraction that this idea of
is such an abstraction that this idea of
is such an abstraction that this idea of sustainability this idea of looking at
sustainability this idea of looking at
sustainability this idea of looking at business beyond simply profitability
business beyond simply profitability
business beyond simply profitability what I want to talk about now is where
what I want to talk about now is where
what I want to talk about now is where it meets the road and I want to hold up
it meets the road and I want to hold up
it meets the road and I want to hold up as a great example cascade engineering
as a great example cascade engineering
as a great example cascade engineering which was founded by Fred Keller they’re
which was founded by Fred Keller they’re
which was founded by Fred Keller they’re on the west side of the state and Grand
on the west side of the state and Grand
on the west side of the state and Grand Rapids it is a wonderful example of how
Rapids it is a wonderful example of how
Rapids it is a wonderful example of how the triple bottom line is manifest in a
the triple bottom line is manifest in a
the triple bottom line is manifest in a business cascade engineering is a more
business cascade engineering is a more
business cascade engineering is a more than 300 million dollar a year supplier
than 300 million dollar a year supplier
than 300 million dollar a year supplier in the automobile business and when when
in the automobile business and when when
in the automobile business and when when Fred Keller started and founded the
Fred Keller started and founded the
Fred Keller started and founded the business back in the early part of the
business back in the early part of the
business back in the early part of the 70s about the same time that Milton
70s about the same time that Milton
70s about the same time that Milton Friedman was writing his article he knew
Friedman was writing his article he knew
Friedman was writing his article he knew then that business was much more than
then that business was much more than
then that business was much more than simply generating profits for ownership
simply generating profits for ownership
simply generating profits for ownership and what cascade engineering has done to
and what cascade engineering has done to
and what cascade engineering has done to create sustainability with triple
create sustainability with triple
create sustainability with triple bottom-line value is is an incredible
bottom-line value is is an incredible
bottom-line value is is an incredible thing so I will leave you with that I
thing so I will leave you with that I
thing so I will leave you with that I will show you that we’ve given you a
will show you that we’ve given you a
will show you that we’ve given you a tangible example we go study this that
tangible example we go study this that
tangible example we go study this that the businesses that look beyond simply
the businesses that look beyond simply
the businesses that look beyond simply the single bottom-line of profitability
the single bottom-line of profitability
the single bottom-line of profitability and work on developing and investing in
and work on developing and investing in
and work on developing and investing in spirit vision and Trust are the sort of
spirit vision and Trust are the sort of
spirit vision and Trust are the sort of businesses that realize that creating
businesses that realize that creating
businesses that realize that creating value goes beyond profitability it goes
value goes beyond profitability it goes
value goes beyond profitability it goes into the triple bottom line and the very
into the triple bottom line and the very
into the triple bottom line and the very good example of that is cascade
good example of that is cascade
good example of that is cascade engineering out on the west side of
engineering out on the west side of
engineering out on the west side of state and Grand Rapids so thank you so
state and Grand Rapids so thank you so
state and Grand Rapids so thank you so much for your time
much for your time
much for your time [Applause]
”
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