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People aren't programs. They aren't tools. They aren't frameworks either. People are people. If you don't force them to help their peers, they won't. Hell, I
by Raphmedia 13y ago
People aren't programs. They aren't tools. They aren't frameworks either.
People are people.
If you don't force them to help their peers, they won't. Hell, I come from that poor background and I still whine whenever I see all the money the government takes out of my paycheck. Imagine someone who never had any contact with the poor.
You have two choice:
-Upset (a little bit) people and force them to help out their peers. This cost them almost nothing. But they will whine.
-Do nothing, turn a blind eye and let poor people suffer.
Sure, you can try to encourage people to give. But it won't work. It will never work. We are hardwired to help ourselves, then our families, our friends and THEN if you have extra... and I mean a lot of extra, you may think about giving some money to strangers. But no. You will buy the new iSomething. Don't feel guilty. That's how we are. That's how the modern world roll.
If nobody forces you to help out your peer, you will never do. I will never do either. Sure, we may act as if we are helping people. But we don't. We buy the indie bundle for $2 more than the average. We give that penny to the hobo so he can "buy a pizza". But it ends there.
Each paycheck, I lose about X in taxes and stuff. It used to piss me off. "All that hard work for nothing!". Then, one of my best friend came one day and told me "Raph, it's awesome. The government is giving me X every two weeks now. I can make it and finish school now!". Damn. Sinking feeling. That's pretty much the money I give away.
I don't whine anymore when I see my paycheck.
Sure, I would LOVE to be able to choose where the money I get taken goes to. But I just have to trust the government on that one.
- snitko 13y agoSo if you yourself admit that you won't voluntarily donate money and help the poor unless you really have some extra, what moral right do you think you have to tell other people they should? Why do you think it's ok to take care of your family and friends less and care about strangers more? And, finally, if somebody forces you to help the poor, are you really becoming a better person?
- consonants 13y ago>So if you yourself admit that you won't voluntarily donate money and help the poor unless you really have some extra, what moral right do you think you have to tell other people they should? He is acknowledging that the trend the of the public as a whole is to let the poor rot. Morals come in when he recognizes that this is wrong, and can be solved by society as whole. Not specific people. >Why do you think it's ok to take care of your family and friends less and care about strangers more? This safety net isn't exclusive to 'everyone else'. It is in place to catch everyone, including your family and friends, and their family and friends, and those who might not have family and friends. How is paying a measly some annually/quarterly caring about strangers more? It doesn't necessitate taking care of your own less, and is a straw man on your part. To me, it is a pittance of a tribute to the fact that 'others exist, ugghhh'. > if somebody forces you to help the poor, are you really becoming a better person? That does not matter. What matters is that someone isn't starving, homeless, or without medical care.