In June, New York Times technology writer David Pogue did a piece on the then recently announced decision by Bill Gates to give away most of his wealth. That decision prompted Pogue to re-tackle the contradiction of Gates the ruthless executive and Gates the philanthropist. Among other things, he ended up concluding that "Mr. Gates's entire life arc suddenly looks like a 35-year game of Robin Hood, a gigantic wealth-redistribution system on a global scale."
It is a conclusion that rings true in FC's world vision. In constructing an explanation of the world centered on humanity's drive to communicate, FC did not ignore economics and commerce. In fact, commerce was in FC's view necessary for the greater goals of humankind, with the evolution of both economies and understanding proceeding hand in hand.
While not pretending that material greed too often stood in front of our greater calling to understand and be understood (on both an individual and societal level), FC clearly considered commerce a secondary role player to the larger creative and communicative forces that move us.
Furthermore, he saw a strong link between the efficiency of our commercial systems and the progress we made toward our hope for empathy. No doubt his view will raise the ire of many, for his standard for progress in communications and understanding were largely focused on technological achievements, including the Internet. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that he considered the 20th century version of capitalism the financial form best suited to support the economics and to the provide the valuable ulterior incentives that could push our drive for empathy forward.
The Gates example is a ironic, of course. Bill Gates used the financial and commercial system beautifully to build an empire. His wealth came from providing technology instrumental to the leaps we've taken in instantaneous communication; he is now dedicating that wealth to prolonging life -- pushing medicines to limits that will let us overcome our biological weaknesses -- to get beyond biology, as it were.
