Change agents

In a capitalist society, psychological freedom is inextricably linked to economic freedom. 

If you accept this notion, then you’ll probably agree that loot can be a tool of empowerment. 

That’s why people applauded Robert Smith for his $40 million student loan pledge. Where the most observers saw a $40 million donation from a billionaire, the young Morehouse graduate saw the man behind the money.

He saw possibility.

Economic empowerment can inspire, but at what cost? 

Freedom ain’t free, after all. 

Alternatively, you could inspire with limited resources, as long as there’s a cohesive vision in place. 

Uganda is a great example of the human capacity to lift others, even under less-than-ideal conditions. It’s not altruistic. The belief is that freedom and self-reliance can positively alter a refugee’s trajectory, thereby improving the entire community.

It’s much harder to do.

You have to keep renewing the social contract in order to mitigate weariness and reassure naysayers.

Basically, you need stamina. 

Or, you could inspire through pure economic empowerment. 

Why? 

Because success is theater—it suspends disbelief.

The point is, inspiration has the power to pay psychological dividends. 

And there’s more than one way to inspire. 

Take what you can.