Why I gave away my company to charity - Derek Sivers
This is pretty neat.
Am I the only one who finds his whole site — including this post — a bit trite and self-congratulatory? It strikes me that the best thing to do would be to set up the trust and not talk about it. Or, alternatively, offer an instruction manual to others who may want to do the same thing. Or talk about it how doing this made him feel good.
Instead he seems to be bragging.
Maybe I’m just jealous, because I wouldn’t do this despite the fact that I would like to think that I’m the kind of person who would.
The man created 22 million dollars in value for music education. He gave up his personal ability to claim that value directly in the form of money, giving it all to charity. Part of the value exchange is that he gets pride and happiness from the transaction, something his peers should give him if we wish to encourage more charitable use of millionaire-money. By in large we have.
I think people react negatively to public generosity because it feels like a slap in the face (he’s throwing it away! And just to get attention! I have much better uses for that capital - this guy sucks). At least, that’s the root of any ill will I experience when thinking of people getting to much social cred for philanthropy. I think this attitude is counter-productive (why should I discourage charity; the alternative isn’t me getting the money, it’s some rich dude keeping it and buying a Tesla).
I started a non-profit in 2005, whenever anyone asked me about it, I said “There’s selfishness in selflessness.” I was going through a rough breakup and a quarter-life crisis — I needed a mission, and more importantly, I needed something to feel good about.
I’m reminded of Lincoln rescuing a pig stuck in the mud on his way to congress. Everyone praised his kindness, his response was: “I did it for my own peace of mind, had I not, I could not have thought about anything else all day.”
2 years ago
