Can Gordon Gekko Eat Doughnut Economics? (Maybe if We Have a Creamy Center)

Can Gordon Gekko Eat Doughnut Economics? (Maybe if We Have a Creamy Center)

"Greed is good," famously declared Gordon Gekko in Wall Street. But this mantra, which has long been associated with the cutthroat, profit-driven world of 1980s capitalism, echoes a deeper, more foundational belief in economic thought: Milton Friedman—one of the most influential economists of the 20th century—taught us that greed is not just permissible, it’s essential. In his view, individual ambition, when channeled through free markets, drives societal progress.

And while I can agree with Friedman in principle, I think there’s room for a crucial adjustment: greed can still be good, but only if it’s aimed at something bigger than mere profits. Maybe we don’t need to abandon greed altogether—we just need to refocus it on a new goal: sustainability.

Greed: Still Good, But Let’s Fill the Holes

Greed isn’t inherently bad. It’s the driving force behind innovation, progress, and ambition. It motivates people to create, grow, and push boundaries. The issue comes when greed is left unchecked, when wealth is hoarded, and the planet and people are sacrificed for the sake of short-term gains.

What if we could redirect that same drive for growth into something more sustainable and equitable? Think about it like a Boston Cream Donut. The rich, indulgent cream at the center mirrors the growth and ambition we seek, while the donut itself represents the economic framework that surrounds it. It’s not about depriving ourselves of ambition—it’s about filling that ambition with purpose and balance. Just like a perfect donut, the goal is to have a creamy center, but no hole. That "hole" is the part of greed that leaves people and the planet behind.

Doughnut Economics: A Sweet Spot Between Growth and Sustainability

This is where Doughnut Economics, developed by Kate Raworth, comes in. Raworth’s model allows us to channel our greed, our ambition, and our drive for progress—but within ecological and social boundaries. It’s about operating within a "safe and just space" where we satisfy our economic appetites without depleting the planet or pushing people into poverty.

In Doughnut Economics, we can still achieve growth, but we must balance it with the needs of the planet and its people. The idea isn’t to discard capitalism, but to evolve it into a system that serves everyone—not just the few at the top. It’s about creating an economic environment where ambition doesn’t come at the expense of the vulnerable, and where innovation drives both social and environmental progress.

Just like a Bavarian cream donut, which has a rich, satisfying center without a hole, Doughnut Economics offers a framework that fills the gaps—ensuring no one is left behind while we pursue economic success. It's a way of achieving the best of both worlds—growth and sustainability, ambition and care.

The Emotional Landscape: Why Community-First Capitalism Matters

As we push for change, we must also acknowledge the emotional environment of those we are asking to embrace new economic models. Change can be hard. People have emotional investments in the systems they’ve built their lives around, even if those systems are imperfect. For many, capitalism as we know it has provided stability, security, and growth—but it’s also come with hidden costs: rising inequality, environmental destruction, and exploitation.

When we ask people to change—to embrace a more equitable and sustainable model of growth—we have to recognize their fears, insecurities, and the emotional challenges of shifting to something new. People are not just reacting to the logical elements of change; they are responding to how it makes them feel. So, when we talk about a new kind of capitalism—Community-First Capitalism—we must not only make the financial case for change but also consider the emotional journey that people are on. Change is about more than just rules—it’s about building trust, creating stability, and showing that a new system can work for everyone.

Can Gordon Gekko Eat Doughnut Economics?

Here’s the key question: can Gordon Gekko embrace Doughnut Economics? Maybe. After all, greed doesn’t have to be the villain in this story. It can still drive growth, innovation, and ambition—but with a creamy center that nourishes people and the planet. This is the essence of Community-First Capitalism: a system where greed is good, but it works for the many, not just the few.

Capitalism has always been about wealth transfer, but it doesn’t have to be a one-way street. It can be a system where wealth is more evenly distributed, where business thrives alongside people’s well-being, and where growth doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. By building an economy that prioritizes participation, dignity, and sustainability, we can create a new model—one that is just as ambitious as the old one but with a much sweeter, more inclusive outcome.

Check Out My White Paper: A Roadmap for Change

In my latest white paper, Community-First Capitalism: Building The Institution for Common Cents, I dive deep into how we can rebuild financial trust, integrate sustainability into business models, and create an economy that benefits both people and the planet. The paper offers a roadmap for how we can reshape our economic systems to prioritize participation over gatekeeping, long-term value over short-term profits, and inclusivity over inequality.

If you're ready to challenge the status quo and start building a more sustainable, equitable future—where greed can still be good, but with purpose and care—then check out my white paper and let’s start shaping an economic system that works for everyone.

Side note.

Greed needs anonymity to survive—and the system we currently operate in does just that. Imagine this: there are 8 slices of pizza, and 4 people. The owner takes 4 slices, while the people get 1 each. On the surface, this might seem "good"—everyone is getting something, right?

But..

if you're going to keep everyone fighting over just one slice, you’ll need to hide the fact that there were 8 slices in total. The anonymity that greed requires only works when no one sees the full picture—when the true abundance is hidden.

But here’s the twist: while greed thrives on anonymity, gluttony requires encrypted anonymity. It's not just about hiding what’s right in front of us—it’s about protecting the excess and the injustice behind the scenes. Greed feeds on keeping people unaware, while gluttony needs to ensure no one can uncover the true extent of its hoarding.

The science of scarcity tells us that when resources are perceived as limited, competition arises. This forces us to view the world through a lens of "there’s not enough"—leading to the anxiety and conflict that drive human behavior. But is this scarcity a bug in the system, or is it a feature? Well, it’s time to pick up the trouble ticket and fix it. That's not a free market.

When we embrace a new model—one that prioritizes fairness, transparency, and shared prosperity—there’s no need to hide the slices anymore. Everyone gets their fair share. No more fighting over crumbs, no more encrypted truths. A system based on equity means everyone can see what’s available and share it fairly.

And hey, I live just north of Boston, so it had to be a Boston Cream. Check out my white paper for more on how we can shape a more sustainable and inclusive economic future. It’s time to make the donuts.

Access the white paper here.

https://bmorefin.com/nine-lessons/ 

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