The Wall Street Journal last week published this ungenerous review of Chris Anderson’s new book, Infectious Generosity. And I can’t say the critic was wrong to zing the boss of TED Talks for “embarrassing naivete” in his plea for more universal kindness. But after reading the work and listening to Anderson make his case to a sympathetic audience at New York’s Players Club, I’d make a separate point. Most of his talk and much of the book is about monetary gifts. Basically, he’d like all of us and particularly the wealthy to tithe and if we did it would raise enough trillions to address all global needs. Money is what made the mostly-free TED broadcast of ideas to the planet possible; Anderson sold his Future publishing company in the dot-com bubble and funded a foundation that grew TED. But riches aren’t the only thing for humanity to share. His book does note several other qualifying acts, including the old-fashioned virtue of volunteering. Being a highly “social” sort, he emphasizes the positive vibes transmitted through the online (self-) promotion of good deeds, and surely that is a major (and underappreciated) aspect of today’s internet content. However, most volunteer efforts even in this web era are done quietly, through countless community organizations that, at best, get an occasional photograph in the local tribune. (America has long excelled at this public spiritedness, as Tocqueville famously ascribed to “little platoons.”) Many give of their time and labor without compensation–even, ahem, mere unmonetized bloggers are engaged in a form of this when creating “content.” Long as the history of volunteerism is, though, its core is not entirely secure. The shrinkage and in some cases collapse of service and fraternal organizations across the U.S.–part of the “Bowling Alone” phenomenon–deprives us of a significant source of these efforts. Especially is this true in what are called “marginalized” areas. Maybe the contemporary substitutes that Anderson highlights–great fortunes for philanthropy, and viral “sharing” of individual kindnesses–are enough to cover the civic gap that’s forming. In keeping with his stretched optimism, I will so stipulate.
‘Infectious Generosity’ Review: Giving Until It Feels Good – WSJ
Tim W. Ferguson 