http://drewskwarcan.com/blog/illusions-of-charity/ I would say my greatest strength is probably data entry. Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://drewskwarcan.com/blog/illusions-of-charity/comment-page-1/#comment-459 Connie Reece Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:50:26 +0000 http://drewskwarcan.com/?p=93#comment-459 I suppose if they are calling attention to a problem that has heretofore been unknown, they serve a purpose. But most are "feel-good" causes. Yes, I know that child hunger is a problem. Who doesn't? For complicated geopolitical reasons, we will never conquer it, yet there are things we can do to help alleviate suffering. Clicking to join a Facebook group--without ever following that up with any real action--is meaningless. Taking food to a hungry family in your community, now that accomplishes something. I suppose if they are calling attention to a problem that has heretofore been unknown, they serve a purpose. But most are “feel-good” causes. Yes, I know that child hunger is a problem. Who doesn’t? For complicated geopolitical reasons, we will never conquer it, yet there are things we can do to help alleviate suffering. Clicking to join a Facebook group–without ever following that up with any real action–is meaningless. Taking food to a hungry family in your community, now that accomplishes something.

]]> http://drewskwarcan.com/blog/illusions-of-charity/comment-page-1/#comment-354 Rojita Datta Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:01:51 +0000 http://drewskwarcan.com/?p=93#comment-354 I think you're absolutely right. But..sure it "feels" like we're helping and yes I 100% agree that our efforts should be more than just clicking confirm into a causal group. But since our resources and contacts affiliated with those groups are not local sometimes, people become lazy and dont want to use the available resources that they can find online, to help. Therefore, I think for most, it mainly shows and stands as what the person cares and supports...while sharing awareness through a few mini-feeds letting others know that jane doe joined the "Feed the hungry in Africa" group. And if someone is honestly joining a group just to show off that they're not selfless, that's selfless in itself. Overall, yes, I agree, our actions dont match our words. I think you’re absolutely right. But..sure it “feels” like we’re helping and yes I 100% agree that our efforts should be more than just clicking confirm into a causal group. But since our resources and contacts affiliated with those groups are not local sometimes, people become lazy and dont want to use the available resources that they can find online, to help. Therefore, I think for most, it mainly shows and stands as what the person cares and supports…while sharing awareness through a few mini-feeds letting others know that jane doe joined the “Feed the hungry in Africa” group. And if someone is honestly joining a group just to show off that they’re not selfless, that’s selfless in itself. Overall, yes, I agree, our actions dont match our words.

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