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I don't know if this was the point of the post you responded to, and I'm not trying to be antagonistic, but apart from the donations I'll admit that I don't rea

by shpxnvz 16y ago

I don't know if this was the point of the post you responded to, and I'm not trying to be antagonistic, but apart from the donations I'll admit that I don't really understand the point. Maybe it's just cynicism on my part, but it seems like a contrivance to let people feel good about themselves for spending a few seconds writing a friendly message that will likely never be read instead of using the time to do something potentially more useful, like contacting their government representatives to voice their support for continued relief efforts. I suppose if the interactiveness actually ends up driving more donations that would be beneficial. Although, if this is to be believed even the donations may not be as beneficial to Japan as I would have thought: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/asia/16charity.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/asia/16charity.html

andos 16y ago
Do you know that feeling that a song is specifically about you and what you're going through? It's not, of course. The composer doesn't give a damn about you, but isn't it great to feel good about it? Not all benefits necessarily have to be quantifiable. We humans happen to be emotional creatures. Emotion counts, too. It moves us. Even if it's gimmicky, even if it's tacky. Even if it's for profit. Even if it is a PR stunt.
- shpxnvz 16y ago
  That's fine, but at least be honest about who you're benefiting. If you want to write a message because it makes you feel good, go for it and be happy. If you are doing so because you think it's helping someone else on the other hand, it's seem like good odds that it's mostly just self-deception.
  - andos 16y ago
    My point was that, as innocuous as it may seem, a message of support can make a few of the people in distress feel better. Maybe they've been materially taken care of, but there's still something amiss. That's where I believe emotion counts. If you can also donate something, well, even better. And there is no dichotomy, I think. I'm glad we can both help and feel good about it.
cma 16y ago
http://xkcd.com/871/ http://xkcd.com/871/ "I usually respond to someone else doing something good by figuring out a reason that they're not really as good as they seem. But I've been realizing lately that there's an easier way to handle these situations, and it involves zero internet arguments."
GBKS 16y ago
Hard to know what zyb09 really meant by his/her comment. It's the sort of comment that I don't like to see on HN, since it states a vague opinion without offering rational. If zyb09 had provided reasons as you did, it would have been a different story.

by shpxnvz 16y ago

andos 16y ago

Do you know that feeling that a song is specifically about you and what you're going through? It's not, of course. The composer doesn't give a damn about you, but isn't it great to feel good about it? Not all benefits necessarily have to be quantifiable. We humans happen to be emotional creatures. Emotion counts, too. It moves us. Even if it's gimmicky, even if it's tacky. Even if it's for profit. Even if it is a PR stunt.

shpxnvz 16y ago
That's fine, but at least be honest about who you're benefiting. If you want to write a message because it makes you feel good, go for it and be happy. If you are doing so because you think it's helping someone else on the other hand, it's seem like good odds that it's mostly just self-deception.
- andos 16y ago
  My point was that, as innocuous as it may seem, a message of support can make a few of the people in distress feel better. Maybe they've been materially taken care of, but there's still something amiss. That's where I believe emotion counts. If you can also donate something, well, even better. And there is no dichotomy, I think. I'm glad we can both help and feel good about it.

cma 16y ago

http://xkcd.com/871/ http://xkcd.com/871/ "I usually respond to someone else doing something good by figuring out a reason that they're not really as good as they seem. But I've been realizing lately that there's an easier way to handle these situations, and it involves zero internet arguments."

GBKS 16y ago

Hard to know what zyb09 really meant by his/her comment. It's the sort of comment that I don't like to see on HN, since it states a vague opinion without offering rational. If zyb09 had provided reasons as you did, it would have been a different story.