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Advice on Starting a Microgrant Program

20 points by exolymph 7y ago

dmix 7y ago
> Similarly, Elon Musk’s ham-handed attempts to solve the world’s problems (first, the Thai cave rescue, and then, the Flint water crisis) straddle an uncomfortable line between generosity and self-promotion, with one of the rescue divers calling Elon’s misguided efforts a “PR stunt” Even if Elon did make some mistakes, I'd be careful to be quick blame the individuals for these types of things. Every famous "untouchable" type person always has thousands of people just waiting to kick them down as soon as they make the smallest mistake. People love being outraged and contrarian. Combining the two is half of viral posts on Twitter these days. It's up to us as a culture to decide whether to value that. It seems to easy a way to dismiss a person's actual contributions or intentions. ie, the question of whether Elon was motivated by self-promotion vs making some gaffs.
- arkades 7y ago
  Who gives a shit if it -is- self promoting? I was reading a blog post about narcissism. The author’s comment regarding whether one went on a Red Cross trip to Haiti out of good motives or bad matters to what kind of person you are, but sure as hell doesn’t matter to the Haitians. Ultimately this sort of judgment and outrage isn’t about the famous person - it’s about our self esteem. Because if I can judge you on “what you really are” rather than your actual deeds, then he’s not so great, and my lazy non-Thai-rescuing ass isn’t so bad. This is ego protection by the mediocre, and little more.
  - dmix 7y ago
    True, a whole bunch of amazing things have been created in this world in the name of self-benefit. But social grace still matters, at least culturally if not for actual charity outcomes. I also can't think of anyone less likely to be driven by self-promotion in response to some tragedy than already-famous billionaires. But everyone wants there to either be the Disney evil rich-guy villains narratives or thankless superheros.
  - rambojazz 7y ago
    Knowing the motives why someone does something is a useful piece of information. Sure, if I'm dying I'll take everything to have another chance. But if I see someone wanting to help me for no apparent reason, I surely will ask questions like "why" or "is there a catch"?

20 points by exolymph 7y ago

dmix 7y ago

> Similarly, Elon Musk’s ham-handed attempts to solve the world’s problems (first, the Thai cave rescue, and then, the Flint water crisis) straddle an uncomfortable line between generosity and self-promotion, with one of the rescue divers calling Elon’s misguided efforts a “PR stunt” Even if Elon did make some mistakes, I'd be careful to be quick blame the individuals for these types of things. Every famous "untouchable" type person always has thousands of people just waiting to kick them down as soon as they make the smallest mistake. People love being outraged and contrarian. Combining the two is half of viral posts on Twitter these days. It's up to us as a culture to decide whether to value that. It seems to easy a way to dismiss a person's actual contributions or intentions. ie, the question of whether Elon was motivated by self-promotion vs making some gaffs.

arkades 7y ago
Who gives a shit if it -is- self promoting? I was reading a blog post about narcissism. The author’s comment regarding whether one went on a Red Cross trip to Haiti out of good motives or bad matters to what kind of person you are, but sure as hell doesn’t matter to the Haitians. Ultimately this sort of judgment and outrage isn’t about the famous person - it’s about our self esteem. Because if I can judge you on “what you really are” rather than your actual deeds, then he’s not so great, and my lazy non-Thai-rescuing ass isn’t so bad. This is ego protection by the mediocre, and little more.
- dmix 7y ago
  True, a whole bunch of amazing things have been created in this world in the name of self-benefit. But social grace still matters, at least culturally if not for actual charity outcomes. I also can't think of anyone less likely to be driven by self-promotion in response to some tragedy than already-famous billionaires. But everyone wants there to either be the Disney evil rich-guy villains narratives or thankless superheros.
- rambojazz 7y ago
  Knowing the motives why someone does something is a useful piece of information. Sure, if I'm dying I'll take everything to have another chance. But if I see someone wanting to help me for no apparent reason, I surely will ask questions like "why" or "is there a catch"?