Long Term Thinking
I believe the lack of long-term thinking causes many problems in society today.
Our elected officials only think about promises that will get them elected. The next four years is then about just that – the next four years. Doing enough to get elected again. And it’s not all their fault. Most voters only care about what the government can get them in those next four years.
There are parallels in the business world. CEOs are brought in to publicly traded companies with a single goal in mind–increase the stock price. With the housing bubble bursting, we are hearing about CEOs who have invested in sub-prime mortgages because of the high returns in the short-term with no thought to their sustainability.
That’s why I find the Long Now Foundation so interesting. They are really trying to get people thinking long term about all kinds of issues. I’m just finding about them myself, but at first glance it looks interesting. Here is a link to their site.
Amen brother! We have ourselves to blame for the type of people who are in government. As consumers, we don’t think about sustainability any more than the CEO trying to jack up the stock price. I will vote for you TCat.
SemiconDr - May 13, 2008 at 6:04 pm |
Hi, I saw your post and thought I’d introduce myself. My name is Jim Brumm, I am a member of the Long Now Foundation and I am working on a book about long-term thinking. As you said, I believe that a lack of long-term thinking is the one thing that applies to practically every problem we face today, from the economy to health care to food production to energy. Take care.
Jim Brumm
Jim Brumm - May 22, 2010 at 12:23 am |