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My Dialoge With John Chow

Friday, April 11, 2008

I found this post at JohnChow.com, The title of it is: It's not how much you make, it's how much you give. My original intention was to post a few excerpts and a link, but as I was reading through it, I realized it might be more interesting to post the article in it's entirety - along with my own comments and observations. So, here goes:


Many people ask me how much I make on the Internet. My blog income recap is always one of the most popular posts of the month.

This is because we'd all like to make that much money, it gives other bloggers and Internet wanna-be entrepreneurs hope. (Here's a link to the post on his March income - if you're curious).
I guess I can’t really blame people for asking.

Actually, John, you want people to ask because us coming to see how much you've made is how you make your money... a sweet little set up to be sure. We want to see how you do what you do, so we sign up for your affiliate programs, copy your template, and leave comments. We talk about you and raise your Google ranking, we link to you and pay for advertising on your blog. It's all about you and how much you make... so of course you can't blame people for asking... you want us to ask!
Most of us equate success with how much money you make. However, I think the true measure of success is not how much you make, it’s how much you give.

And of course, the more you make, the more there is to give... it's a catch 22.
You Can’t Take It With You

OK duh!
While it’s great to have a bunch of fancy toys, you have to keep in mind that you can’t take it with you when your time comes and God isn’t going to judge you based on how many fancy cars you drove.

Another duh! And, actually, you sound like you are bragging a little bit here! Letting us know that you do have a lot of fancy toys and cool cars and other luxury stuff.

My first responsibility to my wife and family. After they’re taken care of, I feel we have a duty to help others in need. I used to like accumulating toys (I still do) but now I find much more fulfillment and pleasure in matching donations to worthy causes.

Alright, so I get it, you're a family guy, a good guy and you have so much stuff that now you are feeling good about donating to worthy causes. You're a philanthropist and a family man who incidentally has lots of cool expensive toys. Hurray for you.
How would you like to be remember; as someone with a lot of toys or as someone who made a difference in the world? You can say what you want about Bill Gates but when he goes, he will be known as one of the greatest humanitarians who’ve ever lived.

So, John, are you a Bill Gates wanna be? And, again, another duh! We all want to make a difference in the world and we all want a lot of toys.
The true measure of a man is not how much he makes, it’s how much he gives.

And again, may I point out that if we are talking about monetary giving - how much you make has a definite impact on how much you can give.

You Have To Give In Order To Get
Now we're down to the heart of the matter. This is what our prosperity project is about this time around, testing to see if this is really a true statement or not.
I’m really fortunate that the Internet has not only provided me with a way to provide for my family, it has also provided me with the means to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Don’t get me wrong, I like buying fancy sport cars as much as the next guy. However, in order to have those fancy things, you have to give first.

Shut up already about the fancy toys and the Internet income.
This is something many people have a hard time understanding but it is a universal truth. The best way to explain the concept is with this quote:

If you want to live with masses, serve the classes.
If you want to live with the classes, serve the masses.

I have a definite issue here. For one thing, if you are going to admit to quoting someone, (this is actually your 3rd quote), you might at least share the source of said quote. And another thing, I deeply resent the "masses - classes" concept. What a derogatory statement. Am I one of the faceless masses just because I don't have fancy toys and a $100,00+ Internet income? Am I "less than" because I have "less than" you?
If You Want To Live with The Classes, Serve The Masses

OK, rub it in some more...
If you look at any successful businesses, you’ll see that they serve a lot of people. The more they serve, the richer they get. Google serves millions of web surfers everyday. Walmart serves more customers than any store in the world. They’re among the richest companies in the world. The rich got rich because they serve the masses. The masses being their customers, employees, shareholders, etc. The poor are poor because they serve the classes (their boss). The more you serve, the richer you become.
Excuse me? Walmart? Serve? They got rich because they had something that other people want. Walmart got rich because they take advantage of 3rd world economics. They routinely screw their employees around, they are all about their bottom line. A certain amount of PR is done to ensure that the "masses" see them in a positive light, but push come to shove, Walmart is here for Walmart - not for me and not even for you.

As for Google... you might have a point there. I personally love Google (this blog is courtesy of Google) they do serve the masses (me) and they also serve the classes (you). Google serves everyone and in return, they make money hand over fist. What's great about Google is that much of what they provide is given freely. And the "classes" (that would be you?) pay to be listed first and featured most on those freely given services.

You attract what you give out. If you give out negative vibes, you’ll get negative vibes back. If you want people to smile at you, just smile at them. If you want love, give your love.
No arguments from me here. I believe this to be true. I have experienced it.
If you want money, give your money. It will all come back to you in greater amounts than you gave.
Here's where I'd like to see your personal financial statements proving this theory. Because I don't believe it at all. I could go out right now and give all my money away. And then what? I wouldn't have any money, that's what. Now, if I channeled all my resources, my energy, my passion into a "worthy" cause... then, yes, I agree. It would come back but not to me, it would come back THROUGH me for that "worthy" cause.

So, the question comes... what constitutes a "worthy" cause? In my opinion, anytime a person or persons has a passion a surge of creative intensity, a drive that transcends the ordinary - regardless of the specifics - there you have a "worthy" cause. JohnChow.com for example. You had passion for it, you channeled your resources, your energy, and now it's a thriving financial success. Or Mother Theresa, she channeled her resources, her energy, and created something pretty amazing. And what about The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, now there was passion, energy, resources, and look what happened with that! Everyone gave 120% and they created something spectacular.
When you donate to worthwhile causes, you are serving the masses. You serve enough of the masses, you will live with the classes.

Bullshit! (Sorry - but that's what I think). Again, "masses" ?? "classes" ?? I'm wondering, do you have a donation button on your site? Something new that you get a small kick back on?

-oOo-

OK, that was fun! So, what do you guys think? Any insights or comments? Do you read John Chow?

7 comments:

Shirley Twofeathers said...

As much as I had "issues" with his post, I did come out of the dialogue with a couple of insights.

1. Giving requires a firm foundation of receiving (Google is a great example of this).

2. Passion and dedication to a "cause" a "creative project" a "spiritual path" or even a "blog" ... passion and dedication - that's what creates the flow of support (monetary and otherwise). When it becomes "bigger" than you - then you know the Universe (God) is supporting you totally.

the gay bookworm said...

I especially like the commentary. Seriously that John Chow guy loves himself and his toys. Ask all the poor catholics in third world nations about how much they give to the church and how much comes back to them. Ask all the people who send money to the televangilists how much money comes back to them. I think there are more important things to give than money and that a lot of the time the people who want you to believe that giving money will get you money are people asking you to give them your money. So still not convinced in any way that giving money will get you prosperity.

Anonymous said...

I agree... I don't believe that giving money brings prosperity...

I do however, believe that when you give something your "all" when you are giving of yourself, your time, and your energy, that is part of but not all of the prosperity puzzle.

Anonymous said...

I started to read about John Chow "member of the Save the Whales Foundation, the man who controls the black market on baby seal pelts" and somehow I knew just had to leave his site! Were they kidding? Ewww.
I really enjoyed your dialogue, Shirley. It contains very honest thoughts and is quite fiesty!
I agree with what you said about having "passion..a surge of creative energy" because then it feels like giving is coming from a place not connected with the self..it's inspired and just FEELS right. When that happens, I feel like the richest person in the world.
I wanted to offer my apologies for not responding to your gift of all these thought-provoking pieces on giving. I've been putting all my love and energy into creating our wedding. SIX DAYS LEFT!!!! We are doing everything but the food ourselves and I'm now perfectly aware of why people elope!!! The details are mind-boggling (and this is a SIMPLE wedding!) Who knew things like finding pink shoes could be so darn important?? Anyway, please forgive me and know that although I'm quiet this month, I'm still appreciative and learning every day from all of you!

Shirley Twofeathers said...

Karla - I so wish you the best! You must be so busy.. I can only imagine.

As for John Chow and the black market seal pelts... where did you read that? I looked at JohnChow.com but didn't find anything about it. Are you sure it's the same guy?

Anonymous said...

Yep, under "About John Chow" tab.

"John Chow, a damn fine person, friend of the community, Ultimate Fighting Championship contestant, member of the Save the Whales Foundation, the man who controls the black market on baby seal pelts and member of the “probably yo’ daddy” foundation."

Shirley Twofeathers said...

Ok... well, I feel even better for having argued with him about stuff!

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