Giving Away 10%

Talk about coincidences.

For the last few weeks I've been thinking and talking a lot about how I can use my time and TPN to "do good" this year. I've been conscious for the last few years that I need to do something "worthwhile" with my time, something that isn't motivated by earning filthy lucre. I'm no fucking hippie, I am a capitalist, don't get me wrong, but I still think I need to put some of my energy, intelligence, contacts, etc, into something that might be able to make a difference.

So anyway. I was chatting with a few people about this yesterday and I decided I would put 10% of my time this year into such work. Some of the stuff I want to work on is related to teenage suicide, depression, addiction, and the pressure kids get to get a tertiary education these days. I know lots of people, yours truly included, who didn't go to university, out of choice, and yet have gone on to do interesting things and lead productive lives.

So, the coincidence part, is that in The Age today, Daniel Petre, a former PBL director (PBL is the media company owned by Australia's wealthiest individual, Kerry Packer) and ex-vice-president of Microsoft and ex-MD of Microsoft Australia, wrote an opinion piece chastising Australia's wealthiest people on not being more generous with their wealth. He suggests that they should give away at least 10% of their net worth.

Well I'm not wealthy in a financial sense, but I have managed to free myself up in ways that does allow me to contribute more this year than I ever have before. I'm really excited about that. I'm genuinely excited about how we can take The Podcast Network's infrastructure and momentum and vision this year and "ring fence" a portion of it, as well as my time, to contribute to worthwhile, non-commercial initiatives. Splatt's on board as well, which is important, obviously.

Another old Microsoft colleague, Mike Seyfang, is involved in a new start-up called LearnDog. He's got a vision I'm excited about and can hopefully assist.  Keep an eye on them.

I'm just listening to Dave Slusher on the latest Evil Genius Chronicles podcast talking about his father's suicide and how his family dealt with it openly. I think this issue of depression and suicide needs more open dialogue and conversation and what is a better medium for that than podcasting?

Maybe this all has a bigger purpose.

Comments

[Daniel]

Good for you Cam. I do a little voluntary work myself, and am constantly surprised at the difference a little time from individuals can make. My best example is here -- scroll down to the bit "The New Year's Eve Story" in particular.