We don’t have an economic problem, we have a moral problem

Economics is useless as pure science, it is not a pure science. Economics is a human endeavor to improve well being. We have to understand that a collision with earth is not in anyone’s interest. We have to recenter our politics, global society and ourselves.

We don’t have an economic problem, we have a moral problem.

Jeff Sachs

http://new.livestream.com/INETeconomics/events/1932300

Austerity measures on government spending is it a matter of psychology?

So is the austerian impulse all a matter of psychology? No, there’s also a fair bit of self-interest involved. As many observers have noted, the turn away from fiscal and monetary stimulus can be interpreted, if you like, as giving creditors priority over workers. Inflation and low interest rates are bad for creditors even if they promote job creation; slashing government deficits in the face of mass unemployment may deepen a depression, but it increases the certainty of bondholders that they’ll be repaid in full. I don’t think someone like Trichet was consciously, cynically serving class interests at the expense of overall welfare; but it certainly didn’t hurt that his sense of economic morality dovetailed so perfectly with the priorities of creditors

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2013/jun/06/how-case-austerity-has-crumbled/?pagination=false

3 Reasons not to build a minimum viable product

http://pandodaily.com/2013/02/04/three-reasons-not-to-build-a-minimum-viable-product/

“Let’s get the definition out of the way first; Eric Ries defines MVP as “…that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.”

As we detail in “The Lean Entrepreneur,” famed entrepreneur Bill Gross created an MVP in 1999 that validated that car buyers would be willing to by autos online sight unseen. The customer would choose a car on his website, describe the options desired and then pay for the car. Bill then would go buy the car from a dealer (losing money in the process) and deliver it the customer.

That MVP grew into CarsDirect.com.”

African American community in Pittsburgh experiencing historic non-transfer of wealth

A look at a map of municipal property tax foreclosures shows a sea of read ink in our urban neighborhoods. Urban homeowners acquired ownership during the steel boom, now they are living on a fixed income and can’t afford property taxes, maintenance or repairs of their homes. When redevelopment does show up at their door they are told that it is good for them as their property value will increase.

“They are getting good money for their properties” An African American nonprofit executive said. $25,000 to $50,000 may be considered good value in property terms, but it is not likely to do much for the homeowners or their families. The new housing being built will cost more than $250,000. How many African American households in Pittsburgh can afford that? Most residents of neighborhoods being considered for redevelopment have annual income of less than $18,000.

The big question, why are we not working with African American property owners to co-develop their properties and have them become equitable partners? Potentially it could reduce redevelopment costs and increase the equity of our African American neighbors. Don’t we want multi-culturally diverse neighborhoods?

As far as co-development strategies there are many proven methods, cohousing, real estate trusts, shared equity appreciation agreements, and creative financing strategies. Being open to innovative approaches could truly improve our city’s quality of life and reputation.

 

A Youth Run Tech Coop

CompU a Youth Run Tech Coop Here is a business model idea that aims to engage youth in learning about technology and small business development. It also aims to provide an alternative to rent-to-own computers and very affordable Internet access in an urban community. We aim to make the business self-sustaining so that it is not dependent on grants and our customers can enjoy reliable service.

Currently we are seeking youth entrepreneurs that live in Homewood and wish to be involved in this type of venture.

Living Planet Entrepreneur Manual

It is necessary to change our cultures to sustain life in our planet. This is a challenge of heroic proportions. Where are the heroes of cultural change? In your community.

Saving our planet is not only about a technological fix, it is about cultural change. Today cultural change is driven by business models. Walmart, is a significant cultural driver, making goods and services available all over the world and creating large scale homogeneous consumption patterns that change cultures, impacting our planet and economies.

Can we invent, create and develop business models that change our cultures to preserve life in our planet? That is the challenge for those of us who are entrepreneurial and see more than profits as our goal, for those of us who value life and all living things. Can we create businesses that act like white cells in the economic blood stream? Healing where there is destruction by the single minded pursuit of profit and power without regard.

New ideas can lead to new deals. New deals can change the way we do business, which could result in a livable planet.  Changing the way we do business is a good reason to be involved in Living Planet Enterprises.

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