Wednesday, March 11, 2009

About Social Alchemists


Imagine and describe the ways business can act that are restorative to society and the environment. Restoration is not a business term. But then, neither is degradation.
Paul Hawken, The Ecology of Commerce

SOCIAL: Pertaining to the interaction of humans with one another, either as individuals or in groups; pertaining to mutual support and welfare.

ALCHEMY: A medieval chemical philosophy asserting the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of a panacea, or the preparation of the elixir of longevity. An art of ancient origins, alchemy can be interpreted as an inquiry into humanity's relationship with the cosmos and the will of the Creator, manifested as either a devotional philosophy transforming humans into perfect beings, or the attempted transmutation of base metals into gold or silver. The catalyst required was the elixir of life, tincture, or philosophers' stone, the search for which has long obsessed people of all ranks.

SOCIAL ALCHEMISTS: If alchemy is transforming lead into gold, social alchemy* would be the transmutation of a sick, depleted, fearful society into a healthy, vibrant, loving, grateful group of human beings who want only the best for each other and will do anything necessary to create a better world, not only for themselves, but for all future generations.

The goal of this blog is to explore the ways that individuals across myriad industries, businesses, pursuits, disciplines, and interests are acting as agents of change in our world.

Each interviewee has been asked precisely the same questions – and, each being an individual, each has answered their own way, with their own voice, vision, and vast knowledge about their area of specialization. View the questions on our Interviewee Questionnaire page.

If you (or anyone you know) share our mission for social change and would like to be participate by being interviewed or completing the questionnaire, please e-mail me directly at SocialAlchemists@WriteMarketDesign.com.

Many thanks for your support!!

Laura

*My Twitter buddy @sojourner9 offered this definition of social alchemist: "a shaman of deconstruction." I agree. We’re deconstructing, with the goal of rebuilding, better than ever before.


2 comments:

  1. Laura, I got your card and saw, "social Alchemist" and had to know what that was. Now, I know, and I think it's a very Nobel thing! If it is ok with you, I may take your interview here in the next week or so. I've been very productive lately, but still have a lot of work to do. Thanks for what you're doing here.

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  2. There's likely a flip side of that coin you called "nobility" that unfortunately resembles wickedness or deceit :/

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