(Warm and) Fuzzy Math

The words jabber and algebra come from the same root in Arabic. This is good to remember when dealing with notions such as "return on investment," (or ROI in bizspeak). The language of economics is so mired in the commercial model, that we can find no term more descriptive to call other economic structures than "not-for-profit." If we are not-for-profit, then what are we for? How do we measure our success? It's simpler in the world of profit--spend the minimum dollars, charge the maximum dollars, count the difference. This is the algebra of the jungle, where many maintain we all reside. But we don't, really. It's just that we have no clear grip on the algebra of community. What, after all, is the return on investment for dropping a five-spot in the bellringer's bucket?