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Mother Theresa said “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” I'll have the temerity to add somethin
by OliverJones 11y ago
Mother Theresa said “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”
I'll have the temerity to add something to her advice. Help that person anonymously if you can; it's not about you, it's about her or him. The only reason to break anonymity is if it will help to set a positive example of generosity for others. Breaking anonymity will always burn up your social capital by opening you up to public criticism of this "Copenhagen" variety.
The Gates Foundation is a prominent example. They sometimes take heat for the work they choose to do. Nevertheless, they serve as a fine example of willingness to help.
You want to do some good and you're busy? Tell your bank to send a monthly payment to a local feeding program. Be a reliable source of support for them, and trust them to do the right thing. And don't brag about it.
- TeMPOraL 11y agoI will add to that - if you don't care about a particular person but you want to help someone in general, then pick a charity from GiveWell's list and donate to them instead. The more people do that, the quicker we'll go through problems, solving them in a cost-effective order. Your locals in need of food will have to wait a bit longer, but we'll have much more happy people who would have otherwise died from malaria.
- shaggyfrog 11y agoMother Theresa was more interested in continuing and exploiting the sick than she ever was in treating their illness or helping anyone. She ran a death cult. The myth that sprung up around her has isolated her from criticism because of this principle: "Well you've done nothing, but she did something, therefore, because whatever she did is automatically preferable."