That’s Just Brilliant: Google’s Philanthropy
S.F. Chronicle reports: “Google Inc., which has said it plans to put $1 billion into its charitable efforts, hired as its first chief of philanthropy a man who has helped eliminate smallpox in the Third World, founded a pioneering online community and rubbed elbows with the Grateful Dead.”
Dr. Larry Brilliant, 61, of Mill Valley will become executive director of Google.org as it gets started on its mission of “applying innovation and significant resources to the largest of the world’s problems,” in the words of Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page.
Although on the surface it may seem counterintuitive to put a counterculture figure in charge of what is destined to become one of the world’s largest charitable institutions, Brilliant’s friends see his selection as a logical choice.
He’s a liberal, but one who seems to have some perspective.
“Capitalism has wonderful lessons to teach us. I’m happy to be called a capitalist. To make a change in the world, you must creatively employ capital. You have to understand how the engines of commerce work. To lament that those engines concentrate wealth is not going to help you or anyone else.”
Brilliant was so quoted by FastCompany, which wrote a fascinating article on him in 2000.
[I]n the words of famed hippie clown Wavy Gravy of Berkeley, “They couldn’t have picked a better guy. The guy’s got chops. What can I say?”
Say no more. Groovy.
Unfortunately, Brilliant will be found rubbing elbows with Al Gore this week. But then again, Google loves him, too.
It’s all very incestuous.
February 22nd, 2006 at 10:35 am
You know, I’m liking Google less and less.