Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World
This is the type of book that I normally wouldn't read, but Reid Hoffman recommended it and gave me a copy.
The book is about Dr. Paul Farmer, a famous doctor who devotes his life to helping the poor. He balances the personal approach treating patients directly and moving in the political world of International policy and funding. The impact that his on-the-ground practice has on catalyzing change and his philosophical arguments are an important and stark counter to the increasingly common cost-benefit "rational" thinking of funding and policy.
Farmer's philosophy of working on things and "doing the right thing" in the face of almost assured defeat or against overwhelming odds really helped me think through my own life goals.
The book made me wonder if I should be trying to save the poor instead of trying to save the Internet. While I think the Internet and the sharing economy is an essential part of the open society of the future, it seemed rather distant and indirect compared to the activities that Farmer and his team were involved in.
It also helped me think about the importance of the work of WITNESS and our role in the network of global human rights organizations.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in, or is already spending their time and energy on efforts to make the world a better place. Farmer really puts things in perspective and Kidder does a great job telling the story.
The book is about Dr. Paul Farmer, a famous doctor who devotes his life to helping the poor. He balances the personal approach treating patients directly and moving in the political world of International policy and funding. The impact that his on-the-ground practice has on catalyzing change and his philosophical arguments are an important and stark counter to the increasingly common cost-benefit "rational" thinking of funding and policy.
Farmer's philosophy of working on things and "doing the right thing" in the face of almost assured defeat or against overwhelming odds really helped me think through my own life goals.
The book made me wonder if I should be trying to save the poor instead of trying to save the Internet. While I think the Internet and the sharing economy is an essential part of the open society of the future, it seemed rather distant and indirect compared to the activities that Farmer and his team were involved in.
It also helped me think about the importance of the work of WITNESS and our role in the network of global human rights organizations.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in, or is already spending their time and energy on efforts to make the world a better place. Farmer really puts things in perspective and Kidder does a great job telling the story.
Comments
while most of current material world businesses have tendency of "0% material cost, 0% expenses, 100% profit" to run it, countries where physical materials are only thing to sell may be forced to stay poor. if they can shift to information economy there is a chance the balance may change. if no one try on this part, the situation may stay the same.