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Bacon and Eggs

The great Northern cities of England grew out of the world’s first industrial revolution and its specialisations for Cotton (Manchester), Wool (Bradford), Ships (Newcastle) and other products. The Universities, often started and funded by successful Victorian entrepreneurs to do research to devise newer products, also contributed to better educational opportunities for many and the growth of new knowledge that improved health care, nutrition and the environment. They and their founders saw themselves as Civic Universities, adding to the culture of the city as well as its wealth. They committed their time, energy, knowledge and innovation to their local citizens, and they did it because that is what they were for.

Today’s Universities operate as businesses, selling their time, energy, knowledge and innovation to their fellow citizens for as much as they can get. They compete with real businesses. They may say that they are Civic Universities, and they may appear to be involved in the life of their city, but they don’t show the commitment of their predecessors. They may be involved, but they are not committed.

An investor of mine once explained the difference between involvement and commitment when I had said something about “being involved” in the new business we were launching. “Involvement’s no good to me”, he said, “I need commitment. Just like with Bacon and Eggs, the Hen may be involved, but the Pig is committed”.


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