A Positive “Coincidence of Interest”
A recent newspaper article contained an intriguing combination of words that caught my attention. (See: The Star Ledger, “The Global Monster”, 4/24/08, p10) The phrase was: “a coincidence of interest”. It was used to describe a scenario that arises when an unscrupulous seller is eager to supply whatever a desperate buyer wants to buy.
The context of the article focused on how mobsters or organized crime groups are getting more involved in global markets, immigrant smuggling, and with terrorists, etc. primarily for the purpose of making money in the global marketplace as well as domestically.
My thought is this: what would a “coincidence of interest” look like in the hands of the positively-intentioned world citizens?
It might look a bit like corporate goodwill programs. For example, charitable groups need donations; corporations benefit by showing goodwill in the form of donations or sponsorships. Clearly some detractors believe that corporations are motivated solely or primarily by the financial returns of their goodwill gestures.
Current thought leaders are pointing out that it doesn’t matter if corporations benefit by helping others, regardless of whether receiving those benefits are their sole motivation or not.
Perhaps we can say that as long as those in need do receive a benefit, then a win-win “coincidence of interest” exists. What is wrong with that? This is evidenced in concepts like Bill Gates’ “creative capitalism” and variations on the theme in the example of Product(Red)’s for-profit giving and the environmental equivalent of determining whether greenwashing is occurring or not.
The way that the negative form of “coincidence of interest” is fought, according to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, is “…initially, with intelligence gathering (that) you then use to frustrate it or prosecute it as may be appropriate.”
So, maybe the way to ‘expose’ an albeit positively-intentioned “coincidence of interest” in a way that raises the focus away from personal gain and up to true concern for others, is in a similar way. Use intelligence gathering. Get educated and educate others about: giving back out of an appreciation for the things we are grateful to have in our own lives, and a concern for the type of world and society we want to live in.
Let the solution begin with personal responsibility and let that radiate out to those we encounter in our lives. Watch the movie trailer for an upcoming film entitled, “The Shift“, which demonstrates society’s growing movement in that direction.
So, why not consider a positively-intentioned “coincidence of interest” as a starting place from which to grow new awareness, intentions, and solutions?
