In 'going purpose', Patagonia may have killed the thing it loves. Now, rather than relying on conflicted billionaires, we should embrace the humour and humility of Paul Newman.
Another fine read, Nick. When I read Chouinard bit I did wonder whether he'd considered 'doing a Mondragon,' or of anything like that was on the table..this story about ownership and control of Newman's is illuminating too, the succession issue..
Yes, I can't quite figure out the current state of Newman's Own, but so much of it relied on the personality of Newman and it's hard to keep that spirit going indefinitely. Changing the book title was definitely a bad sign.
It's hard to untangle the cause and effect in the privatisation of politics and politicisation of business — seems to be one big, hellish feedback loop. I hope to have it all figured out in another 10 posts, maybe 15 max 😅
Sep 23, 2022·edited Sep 23, 2022Liked by Nick Asbury
Yeah, it's difficult, a feedback loop for sure, locked in. I've neither read, listened to, nor had a conversation with a purpose practitioner on what their theory is, so could only speculate, but my sense is, especially on the corporate end of it, that there's an unacknowledged acquiescence to the logic of privatization in all areas of life, they might see purpose as a pragmatic response to this, where rebuilding the public sphere is too lofty, or doesn't fit with their professional managerial class identity, there's something deeper going on, this centering of vulnerable, or excluded, or disadvantaged people, and yet libidinally, it's all about them.
Very thought provoking Nick. I am a fan of getting behind the headline. We live in a world of sound bites and short attention spans. So I’m grateful to read your piece. The Paul Newman story is also one that deserves a much bigger audience. Maybe a film about it?
Thanks for your ongoing writing for the good of people’s thinking with their own heads. Thanks in particular for sharing your sources: it’s a great mark of intellectual honesty and generosity.
Another fine read, Nick. When I read Chouinard bit I did wonder whether he'd considered 'doing a Mondragon,' or of anything like that was on the table..this story about ownership and control of Newman's is illuminating too, the succession issue..
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/07/paul-newmans-own-family-feud-susan-newman
In the end, especially here, politics has become privatized, and perhaps purpose is a consequence of this, and that's its flaw.
Yes, I can't quite figure out the current state of Newman's Own, but so much of it relied on the personality of Newman and it's hard to keep that spirit going indefinitely. Changing the book title was definitely a bad sign.
It's hard to untangle the cause and effect in the privatisation of politics and politicisation of business — seems to be one big, hellish feedback loop. I hope to have it all figured out in another 10 posts, maybe 15 max 😅
Yeah, it's difficult, a feedback loop for sure, locked in. I've neither read, listened to, nor had a conversation with a purpose practitioner on what their theory is, so could only speculate, but my sense is, especially on the corporate end of it, that there's an unacknowledged acquiescence to the logic of privatization in all areas of life, they might see purpose as a pragmatic response to this, where rebuilding the public sphere is too lofty, or doesn't fit with their professional managerial class identity, there's something deeper going on, this centering of vulnerable, or excluded, or disadvantaged people, and yet libidinally, it's all about them.
Agree – very well put
Very thought provoking Nick. I am a fan of getting behind the headline. We live in a world of sound bites and short attention spans. So I’m grateful to read your piece. The Paul Newman story is also one that deserves a much bigger audience. Maybe a film about it?
Thank you – yes, there's a great storyline for a film in there, maybe starring an ageing Tom Cruise.
Thanks for your ongoing writing for the good of people’s thinking with their own heads. Thanks in particular for sharing your sources: it’s a great mark of intellectual honesty and generosity.
Thanks Paolo – good to hear you appreciate seeing the sources, I'll try to keep doing that.