Don't 'just do it' ... explore it.
Written: Feb 09 '00
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To click, or not to click, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler to click for ones own benefit, or to surf for the calling down of the beneficence of companies desiring to seem goodly to the end-user, aye, there's the rub.
Ok, enough of that, what do I really want to say? It seems such a simple gesture to make two mouse-clicks for hunger (one to get to the page, and one for the donate button). But is it really so simple? I must confess, I was exceedingly excited about the possibility of <click> - >poof< insta-donation. To be sure, it sounded to good to be true. Nonetheless, it is not a farce. I am so thankful that John Breen, Indiana programmer, had the thoughtfulness to organize such an effort.
Now, it seems that his brainchild, no more than 9 months old, has already exceeded itself. The site has grown to the point that the organization has given over maintenance of the site to GreaterGood, which is yet another website catering to the shopper with a desire to see some portion of the profit of their purchase to go to some good charity or another. But is it all well and good?
I suppose that if the companies who sponsor/advertise on the Hunger Site are ones who have things we need and are planning to purchase already, the ends will justify the means. But if the advertisements bring to us a buying practice that is not needful, nor beneficial, why did we not send that money to a good charity (read researched)? Would it not be so much more efficient?
Happy2000usa has presented the point that it is good if … if, the money is going to the intended recipient, and not lining the pockets of the already-too-rich. The temptation to jump on this bandwagon without a second thought is very great. After all, what self-respecting human does not wish goodwill toward all m… uh, persons? If, however, our mini-moment of self-denial ends up sending more money to the rich, what good have we done? To those who be wise, I would recommend a great deal more clicks than two. For starters, is there an acknowledgement from the UN showing that the money is actually getting to them? Next, what proof does the UNWFP offer to the charity-minded, that honest to goodness hungry people are getting the food? Finally, (not inclusively, but literally) what can be (or is being) done for the people starving to lift them out of the cycle of starvation?
This author has already done much of the research on these issues regarding theHungerSite.com, but does not intend to make things too easy on the reader by giving away the end of the book, so to speak. So what is it to be? Will we continue to click mindlessly determined to help in some way, or will we find out whether our 'help' is actually counting for something?
Yes, two clicks per day will send ~2 cups of food away.
But our charity is for naught when we give it no thought.
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Member: Ernest Vance
Location: Portland, OR
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 14 members
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