They Probably Recycle a Lot and Call Their Moms Every Week, Too

The American way is to root hard for the underdog unless and until it triumphs and becomes so successful that it takes the fun away from everyone else trying to do what it does. (See Microsoft and Red Sox, Boston.) I keep waiting for Google to cross that threshold, but it hasn’t happened yet, and I think that’s for two reasons: First, its products are incredibly useful and intuitive. Second, the company seems really interested in doing the right thing.

For example, while it offers its Google Apps suite, which integrates its communication, collaboration, and publishing tools under the user’s own domain umbrella, for a fee, it also has a free edition for nonprofits.  It’s a small nod, to be sure, and I suspect it doesn’t cost Google much, but as with much in life, symbolism goes a long way. I like seeing such an innovative, new-media endeavor acknowledge the needs and efforts of those eschewing profits in favor of passion. | 501(c)