Slow Money is the name of a book, a movement, and an idea whose time has come. The subtitle of the book " investing as if food, farms and fertility mattered" explains the heart of the movement which is only about a year old, but which is going viral all over the world.The principles of slow money are not about capitalism or communism but about common sense and basic morality. The idea of slowing money down means to not invest for a quick killing and maximum return for investors, but to invest for long tern goals and the good of both investment and investor. The movement asks three interesting questions in the principles section of its website:
- What would the world be like if we invested 50% of our assets within 50 miles of where we live?
- What if there were a new generation of companies that gave away 50% of their profits?
- What if there were 50% more organic matter in our soil 50 years from now?
These questions were provocative enough to make me want to download the PDF outlining all the principles of the movement which you can do by clicking here.
How it Started
The Slow Money movement grew out of the slow food, buy local idea. From eating local and eschewing factory farms and agribusiness it is only one small step to changing the entire system by changing the way we view business, profit and investment. The Slow Money movement is putting its money where its mouth is by starting a seed money fund that will emphasize " nurture capitalism" funding local and small food enterprises, not as philanthropy, but as sensible investment in product, people, and the future.
Like most great concepts it is simple. Like most game-changing ideas it leaves you thinking " why didn't I think of that" and like many new ways of thinking, it will no doubt be met with ridicule and pessimism. The important thing is, given human nature, will it work? Only time will tell.
The world as we know it is on the verge of economic collapse. International financial institutions, governments and corporations are paddling like mad to keep us from going over the falls into oblivion. I say, keep an open mind and incorporate the idea of "nurture capitalism" into the economy. Maybe it is time to think outside the box? It's what we're best at here in America and Lord knows we need to re-invent ourselves.
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