the ECO Blues

Not amazing that we're in economic and ecological bad straights. Educationally we're not doing well either. How unusual can it be when we don't share what we know, when we don't pass on what we understand. Have we forgotten, you have to give it away in order to keep it? I got alot of pot that way.
The world seems to be full of too many secrets. We are only as sick as our secrets...And we're all sick because of these false ideas ; we're losing the "human" race. The sharing of ideas goes back to the cave man I suspect. Hey Grog, look at this, I've created a wheel. You can roll it around go from point A to point B . I see someday we will benefit from this, this will be my "Wheel of Fortune", has a nice ring doesn't it? Now, let's do lunch. After lunch I'll apply for a patent and of course, I'll want to unionize. Call AIG, we'll need insurance.
Imagine how far we can go if we start sharing. The original computer geeks got it. They call it "open sourcing". They develop a software package and then ask for ideas on how to improve the product. They offer a Beta test product, a software product for free and then hundreds of people from all over the world download it, use it, abuse it and those that can , improves it. Yes i know the correct word was improve but it didn't rhyme as well.
Imagine how far we could get by using this philosophy in life. What could we learn from each other, about medicine, science, technology, the arts? Maybe we'd already have the cure for ...
you know.
There is an old adage, if you feed a man fish he will eat for the day but if you teach him how to fish
he will eat for a lifetime and who knows, he might teach you something you never thought about fish or maybe he'll be so good at fishing he'll invite you on his boat to go fishing with his harem of single nymphs that he met down at the shore. Hey, it could happen.
Many businesses are failing these days and there are many reasons -not just those secrets. My feeling is that alot of companies Ive seen are so busy trying to sell items for the most monies they can get are trippin. Not every sale has to be a home run. Why do I need an extended warranty,because this garbage isn't going to last beyond one year?When was the last time you received good customer service? A company might have success but why would they eventually fail? They let go of old good ideas. They've forgotten their way is not the only way of doing business ,or discovery, or finding ideas. It is the way of the world ,presently, to think whatever we have, whatever we offer, is somehow the best. You see it in every aspect of life including race , nationality, education and religion. Yes, i said it. This is why we are in trouble because we are creating avenues of seperation not inclusion. I am a strong believer in America, this land is my land but...Do you find it so hard to believe that foreigners trust that their country has a lot to offer too that they feel just as proud of their land as we do of ours? Anybody know how we got the nickname "ugly Americans"? It wasn't because of our physical appearance, it was how we acted when the guest of others.
So how does all this relate to business? I'm glad you asked. Bring back courtesy, customer service. Open the doors to your employees and even strangers for new ideas and utilize the good ones. Have us all want to do business with each other. Sharing information and ideas can only help us in our endeavors. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don't wait for the bailout, by then it is too late. Take initiative, find those that can help you move forward, theyrer everywhere and it will benefit you to find them, nuture them, partner with them. For all you backyard mechanics and inventors, imagine a world like that. And for all you successful entrepreneurs, imagine how much progress and profit you could make with these alliances.
Think I can't walk my talk, feel free to add or edit this article. Then maybe we can work together on another edit/ project rewrite...the Constitution (Oh, please, it was written by ol geezers with wooden teeth and powdered wigs who were high on snuff.)