#27: Make Number Go Up, and The Problem with Nonprofits
#27: Make Number Go Up, and The Problem with Nonprofits  
Podcast: More or Less
Published On: Fri Dec 15 2023
Description: The gang discusses the Harvard debacle (and Sam's run for the Board of Overseers), why double-bottom lines are challenging, tech regulation, and more. DISCUSSED: The 19th News SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Opening. [01:10] We have a non-zero hit rate on making things things. [01:50] How did we start the pod? [03:01] The parable of launching a rocket at the moon. [04:23] This week's headlines. [06:28] Venture Capital Strategy: Why go super vertical? [10:56] Guess the Product: Is it a Cold Plunge a Shiftwave Chair or ??? [14:03] Wild new moisture farming technology. [18:03] The big debate: Harvard, nonprofit governance, and the future of society. [21:31] Sam is now running as a write in candidate for the Harvard Board of Overseers. [24:40] Has business become too big? Or has business just become too weird? [25:55] The tale of two Twitters: one missionary, one capitalist. [29:01] How do you solve for leadership in a woke world moving forward? [29:45] Is there a strong argument that nonprofits should not exist? [33:15] The problem with "make number go up". [35:34] Isn't it the case that all organization exist at some intersection of "number go up" and values? [37:00] The dirty secret of nonprofits: they have to raise money. [37:36] What happens when institutions become too rich that they no longer listen to external feedback? [38:51] The bigger question about the gap between the board and the people at these institutions. [39:46] Is this a transient property of internet culture? [42:32] Quick return to talking about TikTok governance. [45:55] Jess plugs one of her favorite nonprofit, 19th News, which exists to cover all of the range of topics and polices and ideas that relate to women. [49:28] Brit is heading to the California Governor's Mansion to the California Gender Equity Summit. [52:50] Closing. TRY THE GPT: http://gpt.moreorlesspod.com FOLLOW THE POD: http://threads.net/moreorless FOLLOW THE GANG: http://threads.net/davemorin http://threads.net/brit http://threads.net/jlessin http://threads.net/lessin