Thursday, January 14, 2010

Giving Back

Zero in on an extrepreneur who has built a large business that has provided jobs for hundreds or even thousands of people and has also produced products or services that have benefited equally large numbers.

You can count on some journalist asking, "Do you feel it is time for you to give back to the community?"

Hmm. Hasn't that person already given quite a bit to the community? Doesn't the tone of the question imply that building a business is an inherently selfish activity? Wasn't there a sizable amount of sacrifice and risk along the way?

This is not to decry charitable giving by businesses or gazillionaires. My criticism is directed at the anti-business bias behind the question.

Are wealthy actors or artists subjected to those queries? I doubt it.

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