It's easy to think of hard-rocking musicians, like Tom Scholz, as the definitive "bad boys" of the world. But once you get to know a little about him, it's hard to think of him as anything but a nice guy, with a huge heart, who is passionately committed to compassion. When writing songs for legendary rock band Boston, Scholz focuses on positive messages and music that moves. Off the stage, he is trying to move people to live cruelty free lives. For us here at JUST CAUSE, seeing people who are peacefully pursuing their passion is indeed something that puts a song in our heart. (And it doesn't hurt that Alyssa - JUST CAUSE founder - has "More Than a Feeling" on the "karaoke fantasies" playlist on her iPod.) Thanks for sharing, Tom, and for being a shining example of the peaceful pursuit of passion - that's the kind of thing that saves worlds.
1. How does your career / business relate to your core "values" in how you approach life and what you want to share with others?
I write music with positive messages, and choose to live a cruelty-free lifestyle. Vegetarian food is served for the band at all BOSTON shows.
2. When you look at the impact your career has had on people around you, what makes you the most proud?
Influencing positive decisions. People getting off drugs, going back to school, choosing cruelty free living.
3. Was there a "defining moment" when you knew that this was what you wanted to focus your professional energy on?
In early 1981, I decided I was going to quit the music business, because I didn't like what the people associated with me were doing with the money that they made from my work. Suddenly I realized that I could change that, and put the money into the hands of people that could do something positive with it.
4. In your personal life, what is the "cause" to which you dedicate the most time / energy / money?
Reducing suffering in all living beings.
5. Why? Has it touched your life somehow?
It's obvious if you visit my website.
6. What do you do - personally or professionally - to support that cause?
Give money to organizations that support the cruelty-free lifestyle.
7. What do you wish people understood about your cause?
That every time that they order a hamburger, they are supporting torturous treatment and death for some other creature.
8. If you had a magic wand, what would you do?
Educate people to the obvious.
9. What organizations support your cause that we should all know about?
See links on dtscf.org
10. Can you ebony porn think of an example of a really innovative approach to solving this problem - either one that someone else did or that you would like to see someone do?
The realization of your impact on the unhappiness of other creatures happens one person at a time. I talk about it in the liner notes of my CD's to possibly enlighten people who haven't thought about it.
http://justcauseit.com/articles/just-10-questions-tom-scholz