Influential Vs Useful?

Wade Davis tells amazing stories.

HIs words paint pictures.

In Wayfinders he celebrates the triumph of the human spirit; how each civilisation, going back thousands of years is not a linear upward trajectory of ever increasing greatness, as history occasionally tells, but a unique response to the challenges of its day.

A few weeks ago Time Magazine hailed the 100 most influential companies.

A heady mix of book recommenders, computer gamers, dating apps and play things.

We live in testing times.

Seas rise.

America fades.

A handful of people own most of the world’s wealth.

And most people owe more than they own. Governments included.

And we are increasingly disconnected from the land which feeds us, on which our health and wealth really resides.

Should we celebrate the most influential?

Or should we celebrate the most useful?

And if we did, which of the influential would qualify?

Useful companies:

- think long term

- are invested in community

- share the goodness they create

- know the true value - and cost - of what they do

- know money is a by product, not the purpose

- leave only footprints

What we celebrate is important. It sends a signal, a message.