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Tangentially, I dislike strongly when people record videos of themselves doing "goodwill" for others—especially for social media; it always reeks [to me] of ins

Tangentially, I dislike strongly when people record videos of themselves doing "goodwill" for others—especially for social media; it always reeks [to me] of insincerity. Not to mention the often unwanted spotlight it casts onto the receiver of said goodwill. If one cares, one does acts of goodwill privately, without thinking about how others will react—including and especially—on the internet. "The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching." ― John Wooden edit: taming em-dashes

huhtenberg 4y ago
100%. Amen to that. I've read somewhere that all donations that Paul McCartney makes come with a rider that if his name is leaked, the donation is withdrawn. Regardless of whether this is true, I think that's the way to donate if it comes from your heart.
- sandworm101 4y ago
  There is nothing less charitable than threatening a charity. If that rider is true then he is a jerk. The only reason to do that is because he wants the charity to congratulate him, yet keep quiet. If he wanted to make an actual anonymous donation then he could do so though a shell company. But no, he wants them to see where the money is coming from so they can shake his hand and smile at him for his benevolence. Want to be actually anonymous: cash in an envelope in the donation bin.
zelos 4y ago
"Oh, the best charity is to give and not let other people know. But what if your example encourages others to give?"
- cuttysnark 4y ago
  I've personally been inspired by seeing these acts in real life. I don't get the same feeling when the person is holding a camera phone in the face of a bewildered recipient. Sorry.
Etheryte 4y ago
See also, "Extremis", modern Doctor Who series 10 episode 6 [0]: "Only in darkness are we revealed. Goodness is not goodness that seeks advantage. Good is good in the final hour, in the deepest pit, without hope, without witness, without reward. Virtue is only virtue in extremis." [0] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6340130/characters/nm0524240 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6340130/characters/nm0524240
pid-1 4y ago
IDK, my family was poor and had no concept of charity. The first time I donated something was after a friend shared a social project they helped in LinkedIn. That was when I thought "hey, I'm kinda wealthy now, I probably could help.". So, I understand where you are coming from, influencers and shit, but there's a real chance that by doing any charity publicly you might trigger others to do as well.
- seoaeu 4y ago
  I think the difference is whether you’re sharing that you donated, or parading around some disadvantaged people for your social media followers. Making a hungry person chose between a meal and their dignity isn’t charitable.
reflexco 4y ago
I think the primary reason for this reaction is not just the inclination to be suspicious of virtue signaling when it's too obvious, but the fear of social pressure these public displays of charity might cause. We don't want to have to feel like we're forced to imitate. That's totally fair but then we also complain all the time that media is only filled with negativity and despair. Let's be rational and appreciate public displays of good deeds for what they are, good. If some people use these as a distraction from mischievous deeds on the backside, that's an other matter.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
mattigames 4y ago
I actually think the complete opposite, there is so little good in the world that doing it to boost your ego or getting viewers on YouTube it's as good reason as any, and it can influence others to do the same, we learn pretty much everything by imitation, why would being good be any different? That guy who went viral for recording himself picking tons of litter without doubt made thousands of people think before littering and his actions have had a more positive impact than most people on this site. I only had to sleep in the streets one single cold night, I wouldn't have mind in the slightest to be filmed thanking the helper in exchange for a warm room, I definitely would had feel I got the upper hand on such "deal".
upupandup 4y ago
There's a channel on Youtube called Jimmy Darts, he gives out $500 to random people or whoever he deems they are poor. Lot of silly little tasks but you know I enjoy watching the content and people who really need the money get it. If somebody wants to also build a hospital and plaster their name on it, let them! As long as somebody benefits.
buscoquadnary 4y ago
Great video saitarizing that concept by New Zealand sketch comedy group Viva La Dirt League. Worth a chuckle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfXpKX0Ww0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfXpKX0Ww0

huhtenberg 4y ago

100%. Amen to that. I've read somewhere that all donations that Paul McCartney makes come with a rider that if his name is leaked, the donation is withdrawn. Regardless of whether this is true, I think that's the way to donate if it comes from your heart.

sandworm101 4y ago
There is nothing less charitable than threatening a charity. If that rider is true then he is a jerk. The only reason to do that is because he wants the charity to congratulate him, yet keep quiet. If he wanted to make an actual anonymous donation then he could do so though a shell company. But no, he wants them to see where the money is coming from so they can shake his hand and smile at him for his benevolence. Want to be actually anonymous: cash in an envelope in the donation bin.

zelos 4y ago

"Oh, the best charity is to give and not let other people know. But what if your example encourages others to give?"

cuttysnark 4y ago
I've personally been inspired by seeing these acts in real life. I don't get the same feeling when the person is holding a camera phone in the face of a bewildered recipient. Sorry.

Etheryte 4y ago

See also, "Extremis", modern Doctor Who series 10 episode 6 [0]: "Only in darkness are we revealed. Goodness is not goodness that seeks advantage. Good is good in the final hour, in the deepest pit, without hope, without witness, without reward. Virtue is only virtue in extremis." [0] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6340130/characters/nm0524240 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6340130/characters/nm0524240

pid-1 4y ago

IDK, my family was poor and had no concept of charity. The first time I donated something was after a friend shared a social project they helped in LinkedIn. That was when I thought "hey, I'm kinda wealthy now, I probably could help.". So, I understand where you are coming from, influencers and shit, but there's a real chance that by doing any charity publicly you might trigger others to do as well.

seoaeu 4y ago
I think the difference is whether you’re sharing that you donated, or parading around some disadvantaged people for your social media followers. Making a hungry person chose between a meal and their dignity isn’t charitable.

reflexco 4y ago

I think the primary reason for this reaction is not just the inclination to be suspicious of virtue signaling when it's too obvious, but the fear of social pressure these public displays of charity might cause. We don't want to have to feel like we're forced to imitate. That's totally fair but then we also complain all the time that media is only filled with negativity and despair. Let's be rational and appreciate public displays of good deeds for what they are, good. If some people use these as a distraction from mischievous deeds on the backside, that's an other matter.

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]

mattigames 4y ago

I actually think the complete opposite, there is so little good in the world that doing it to boost your ego or getting viewers on YouTube it's as good reason as any, and it can influence others to do the same, we learn pretty much everything by imitation, why would being good be any different? That guy who went viral for recording himself picking tons of litter without doubt made thousands of people think before littering and his actions have had a more positive impact than most people on this site. I only had to sleep in the streets one single cold night, I wouldn't have mind in the slightest to be filmed thanking the helper in exchange for a warm room, I definitely would had feel I got the upper hand on such "deal".

upupandup 4y ago

There's a channel on Youtube called Jimmy Darts, he gives out $500 to random people or whoever he deems they are poor. Lot of silly little tasks but you know I enjoy watching the content and people who really need the money get it. If somebody wants to also build a hospital and plaster their name on it, let them! As long as somebody benefits.

buscoquadnary 4y ago

Great video saitarizing that concept by New Zealand sketch comedy group Viva La Dirt League. Worth a chuckle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfXpKX0Ww0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfXpKX0Ww0