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the key factor here is how a corporation works. by definition, they can't do anything besides pursue short term profits

slapshot 14y ago
This is an oft-repeated line that is entirely false. Ben & Jerry's ice cream spent decades turning down good business deals to stay true to their ideals. The Chicago Cubs notoriously refused to play night baseball games at home for decades after it became popular, and were even sued by shareholders to try to force them to install lights at Wrigley. The Court ruled that management of the Cubs could choose to ignore short-term profits from night baseball if it thought that the franchise was best served by keeping the traditional purity of the game.[1] (Of course, the Cubs ultimately relented, but maybe that's why they haven't won the World Series). Craiglist, to the extreme consternation of its investors, has prioritized a certain long-term vision of the service over lots of short-term profits. Even publicly-traded companies can choose to pursue long-term goals over short-term profit. Autodesk is rumored to be setting up a subsidiary that blends profit and non-profit motives, and plenty of companies have done other acts that are not in their short-term interests. [1] Shlensky v. Wrigley, 95 Ill. App. 2d 173 (1968).
- marshray 14y ago
  > Ben & Jerry's ice cream spent decades turning down good business deals to stay true to their ideals If, instead of succeeding, Ben & Jerry's had joined the ranks of the many other failed food retailers wouldn't the corporate officers have faced the potential of shareholder lawsuits for having blatantly "turning down good business deals" along the way?
kalisurfer 14y ago
well they can pursue long term profits. I think trying to monetize every possible interaction although a strategy, is one that is voluntary not required for survival
eridius 14y ago
Tell that to Amazon.
adventured 14y ago
Actually no, that isn't the definition. You have it almost completely backwards in fact. The most successful companies focus on creating long term value. See: Berkshire Hathaway, Apple, Facebook, Costco, Procter & Gamble (raising dividends every year for 55 straight years, try that with short term thinking) and a very long list of other companies

This is an oft-repeated line that is entirely false. Ben & Jerry's ice cream spent decades turning down good business deals to stay true to their ideals. The Chicago Cubs notoriously refused to play night baseball games at home for decades after it became popular, and were even sued by shareholders to try to force them to install lights at Wrigley. The Court ruled that management of the Cubs could choose to ignore short-term profits from night baseball if it thought that the franchise was best served by keeping the traditional purity of the game.[1] (Of course, the Cubs ultimately relented, but maybe that's why they haven't won the World Series). Craiglist, to the extreme consternation of its investors, has prioritized a certain long-term vision of the service over lots of short-term profits. Even publicly-traded companies can choose to pursue long-term goals over short-term profit. Autodesk is rumored to be setting up a subsidiary that blends profit and non-profit motives, and plenty of companies have done other acts that are not in their short-term interests. [1] Shlensky v. Wrigley, 95 Ill. App. 2d 173 (1968).

marshray 14y ago
> Ben & Jerry's ice cream spent decades turning down good business deals to stay true to their ideals If, instead of succeeding, Ben & Jerry's had joined the ranks of the many other failed food retailers wouldn't the corporate officers have faced the potential of shareholder lawsuits for having blatantly "turning down good business deals" along the way?

kalisurfer 14y ago

well they can pursue long term profits. I think trying to monetize every possible interaction although a strategy, is one that is voluntary not required for survival

eridius 14y ago

Tell that to Amazon.

adventured 14y ago

Actually no, that isn't the definition. You have it almost completely backwards in fact. The most successful companies focus on creating long term value. See: Berkshire Hathaway, Apple, Facebook, Costco, Procter & Gamble (raising dividends every year for 55 straight years, try that with short term thinking) and a very long list of other companies