The power of modern philanthropy

[secretkeeper12]

General discussion for all things Philanthropy~~~


The need to help impoverished, uneducated, and overall deprived people is recognized by humanitarians worldwide. Studies into human development, like those provided by The World Bank [http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=477905&pagePK=64168176&piPK=64168140&theSitePK=477894] and UNICEF [http://www.unicef.org/statistics/index_24298.html] show the need to donate and work for the good of humanity. Especially relevant are e-tools like microfinancing or digital fundraising, as seen with GlobalGiving [http://www.globalgiving.org/] and the Greater Good Network, notable for TheHungerSite.com [http://thehungersite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ths/home?link=ctg_ths_home_from_trs_thank-you_sitenav]. Finally, activism finds a place in journalism and animations that spread awareness of these issues; PBS is the most prominent, but the potential exists across all mediums, from Youtube to game design Games for Change [http://www.gamesforchange.org/], anyone?).

SO! What is your input on modern philanthropy? Groups, news, criticisms, philosophy; any insight is worth contributing. As a secular humanist who accepts determinism, I believe the potential of a person depends entirely on what they are exposed to. Living in a supportive environment that promotes intellect and acknowledges the social relationships that allow society to function allows one to develop a rational perspective in the realm of politics and economics, thus promoting the general good of everybody. Obviously such idealism serves no intrinsic purpose, but it can lead the way to more inclusive decisions on the practical level. Every idealogy can enhance discourse, and your thoughts are welcome!

 

[Gaius Livius]

I'd say it's become easier and easier to spread awareness of issues that might not otherwise be widely known about and to rally support to tackle the problems. Although oftentimes people have a habit of trivializing complicated issues when the real core of the problem is rooted beyond just money and more to do with management and corruption. Nonetheless, it's great to see progress. Despite what the more cynical and doom-saying people might shout - the world IS getting better and will continue to. The people who say it's always going downhill never seem to acknowledge the many advances we have made in things like medicine, human rights etc and will just point towards problems.

"Enter the following: 'Love life'" - How oddly fitting with the general tone of what I said.

 

[Esotera]

I've got a lot of respect for someone who voluntarily gives their money to a good cause, but I'm sort of hesitant to encourage philanthropy as the state can attempt to use it as a substitute for services that it previously provided. The UK PM is particularly bad at this - he was elected on a vague promise of a "Big Society" where everyone helps each other out, and has subsequently cut a load of public services. A cynical person might say he is blindly hoping for philanthropists to pick up the slack.

Micro-loans seem to have a massive amount of usefulness though, I believe someone did a Kickstarter-style site where you loaned around £10-15 to individuals in developing countries, and the payback rate was something really high, definitely baove 95%. That's far better than a handout/subsidy as you're encouraging people to take their development into their own hands and they're likely to know what ill work a lot better than you. Although it's not necessarily suitable for large-scale projects like polio eradication...

 

[Vicarious Reality]

Sounds like communism to me
Teach a man to fish, perhaps?

 

[Avery]

Micro-loans seem to have a massive amount of usefulness though, I believe someone did a Kickstarter-style site where you loaned around £10-15 to individuals in developing countries, and the payback rate was something really high, definitely baove 95%. That's far better than a handout/subsidy as you're encouraging people to take their development into their own hands and they're likely to know what ill work a lot better than you. Although it's not necessarily suitable for large-scale projects like polio eradication...

Do you mean Kiva.org?

I've heard many good things about it too and I agree.

 

[Vegosiux]

Sounds like communism to me
Teach a man to fish, perhaps?

My favorite variant of the fish analogy:

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Take his fish away and tell him he should consider himself lucky just to be alive, and he'll figure out how to catch another fish for you to take tomorrow."

That's how fish-catching usually goes, mind.

 

[Queen Michael]

I always liked the idea of "give what you can, when you can," though I'd be happy if none of you ask me how often I actually follow it.

 

[L. Declis]

On one hand, I think it's great that people care.

But the majority of people only care. And charities keep screwing up royally and keep getting stuck for corruption and using near illegal tactics and intimidation to get people to sign up.

We keep saying "Well, people should cough up and help". But no one is asking these large organisations like Google and Orange and *insert any one large corporation* who isn't paying taxes which would go towards public services which would greatly improve the lives of everyone in the country.

And frankly, when the world of the average person on the street is getting slightly more shit, what with less jobs, more bank payments getting higher, bills getting higher and then we get told we're selfish because we don't give money to charities who often spend MOST of the money on themselves first and then half-arsedly on their cause second, why SHOULD anyone care?

Most people survive. That's it. The time of thriving has ended for a long time. Tell the Baby Boomers who have it all and then some to donate.