Bill Gates Unveils His Idea of Creative Capitalism in Davos

Catpitalism needs 'cheap' labor to be competitive, contributing to the problem of the poor. Giving workers a share of the profits via stock would be one solution.

Suddenly I've lost my appetite for Google, contrarian that I am. Perhaps I am among the minority of Americans who don't want their cell phones pointing out the nearest drive-through burger joint. But beware, world, for that is what Google's technology "experts" are planning to serve you soon, as revealed at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Friday. Check out http://www.crabbygolightly.com for some thoughts on the tie between phone-fed burgers and loneliness. CrabbyGolightly.com. Taking a dim view of celebrity, media and power.

If CEOs didn't bankrupt the companies they work for, and eliminate American jobs so they can take $100s of millions in bonuses, and instead spread the profits to every employee, that might help.

I agree with Dr. Schenker regarding the disparity of profits distributed among the working poor, especially in third world nations. Also, part of this third world manufacturing process leads to a disparity of inherited costs of product. Although some products made in Asia or Mexico have a low price due to low cost of labor, material, and real estate; a substantial portion of popular imported products still have a hefty price tag (iPod, LCD televisions, GM and VW autos). These products are considerably overpriced based on the cost of manufacturing and the price of doing business in that third world country as compared to the same costs in the U.S. So why the wide disparity? Can any type of creative capitalism overcome greed based economics? Can we creatively halt "rockstar" CEO's from giving themselves 10 million dollar bonus while their company's (One of the Big 3) stock post 2 to 3 billion losses per quarter? I truly appreciate Bill Gates idealism, however his capitalistic practices while on his rise to notoriety such as inflated stock prices, "vaporware", and predatory pricing are the very things that have disallowed creative capitalism to flourish. The Road Left Behind has paved the way for The Road Ahead.

I think this is a new idea, and a lot of poor countries will benefit from this program. Bill Gates will see the success of these small firms. I hope for the end of poverty in Africa and the rest of the world. Thanks, and god bless Bill Gates and his foundation. Abdul from Somalia

I think that the idea of Creative Capitalism has considerable merit. Governor Mark Sanford says that the greatest barrier to economic development in South Carolina is the high school dropout rate. When I proposed the program presented at http://sc-youthentrepreneurs.com his staff set in motion steps to introduce the program into charter schools for at risk students.

British companies and consumers are (in some ways) still lagging behind in the Capitalist stakes. Probably part of that is due to the mentality of the welfare (and unfortunately) nannie state that prevails over here.

When you boil it down, 'enlightened self interest' is often a very dirty word in Britain.

I am in negotiations with a local college about running a course that gives people the chance to build their own businesses online (http://www.internet-business-detective.com/online-business-training.html) and the main concern seems to be the use of the word "successful" in the course title. It's just not "appealing to their customers"!

And Crabby, if you object to Burger bars on your phone, how about the City of Westminster's new innovation? A "Dial a loo" service called "Sat Lav". Yup! You get sent the Sat Nav position of public lavatories direct to your cell phone.

Amazing what technology can do - if only people will accept its possibilities in spite of it's apparent potential for "su**ess" (sorry for the expletive!)

BILL GATES and CREATIVE CAPITALISM – AN ADDENDUM

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/08/bill-gates-and-creative-capitaliism.html

There is a need for shifting consciousness.