NationStates Jolt Archive

Regarding donations to charity (in this case, American Red Cross Disaster Relief).

Is it right to spend money on myself for purely entertainment purposes--games, music, vidios, eating out, etc etc--when other people need it much more, even if I give an equal or greater amount away? How much is a little bit more transitory happiness for me worth in comparison to a small drop added to the flow of aide? Please provide reasons...

Is it right to spend money on myself for purely entertainment purposes--games, music, vidios, eating out, etc etc--when other people need it much more, even if I give an equal or greater amount away?

Yes. The ruining of these lives, while tragic, should not stop you from living your life as you see fit. If you can give, then give. Doesn't have to be money.

Do what I did and donate time and blood.

yes its fine to not give every bit of money you possibly could. thats why we are all pitching in, so no one needs to give more than they are comfortable with.

if this is what you are asking... id recommend that you put some portion of the money you would spend on "frivolities" to the red cross or salvation army. supposing you are a student, give the money you would have spent on a CD or video game.

Regarding donations to charity (in this case, American Red Cross Disaster Relief).

Is it right to spend money on myself for purely entertainment purposes--games, music, vidios, eating out, etc etc--when other people need it much more, even if I give an equal or greater amount away? How much is a little bit more transitory happiness for me worth in comparison to a small drop added to the flow of aide? Please provide reasons...
It's right to spend your money on whatever the hell you want to spend your money on. Hurricanes do not have the power to alter Right and Wrong; neither do tanks or shackles.

Thanks for the replyies, Keruvalia, Ashmoria. Your opinion makes me feel less like "all property is theft". (Yes, I know that doesn't stand up to a rigorous definition of theft, but the sentiment is the same.) I think I'll follow your advice, and I feel better already.

My inner commie gets going when I think about people who are in trouble... I guess everybody's red on the inside ;).

I work hard for every cent of my money I will do with it what I like I could care less for those people they knew this could happen……….but they still chose to live there so screw’em.

I work hard for every cent of my money I will do with it what I like I could care less for those people they knew this could happen……….but they still chose to live there so screw’em.

Next time you're in a severe accident and are bleeding on the ground, remember that you chose to get into the situation, so nobody passing by should help you.
Screw you, too.

fine by me we wall die some time awell less people to piss me off why should i give my money away to people who wouldnt do the same for me in the end where all on ower own side

I work hard for every cent of my money I will do with it what I like I could care less for those people they knew this could happen……….but they still chose to live there so screw’em.
Dude--karma is a bitch.

my life cant get any worse so I really don’t care I hate all people even my family so if it gets worse I just snap and kill as many people as I can I really don’t care I don’t mind dying

my life cant get any worse so I really don’t care I hate all people even my family so if it gets worse I just snap and kill as many people as I can I really don’t care I don’t mind dying
Lovely.

my life cant get any worse so I really don’t care I hate all people even my family so if it gets worse I just snap and kill as many people as I can I really don’t care I don’t mind dying
Oh trust me--your life could certainly be worse than it is right now. You could be, oh, a Nigerian kid dying of AIDS, for instance.

Regarding donations to charity (in this case, American Red Cross Disaster Relief).

Is it right to spend money on myself for purely entertainment purposes--games, music, vidios, eating out, etc etc--when other people need it much more, even if I give an equal or greater amount away? How much is a little bit more transitory happiness for me worth in comparison to a small drop added to the flow of aide? Please provide reasons...

The answer given by most modern moral systems to this:
You are your primary goal. Others are very important, but not at the risk of sacrificing your own autonomy. You might want to cut back, but you shouldn't give up frivolities altogether.

I couldn’t care less The point is I am not a Nigerian kid who has aids I’m a man who works like an animal to earn his bread I have bin at it since I was 13 I’m know 23 I Have bin threw a lot I work every day of the year death to me would be a gift I don’t fear it I welcome it

I couldn’t care less The point is I am not a Nigerian kid who has aids I’m a man who works like an animal to earn his bread I have bin at it since I was 13 I’m know 23 I Have bin threw a lot I work every day of the year death to me would be a gift I don’t fear it I welcome it
Maybe if you had some decent writing skills you wouldn't have to work like an animal to earn your pay. Education is a terrible thing to waste.

no i
I suppose you’re right all I wish to do is kill pompous morons like you.
That is my dream just go on a killing spree ok? Kill every signal person I see Just for your information I make 120,000 a year I have lots of money………….I just like to see people suffer the more the better!

This is why I hate people they instantly insult you if your poison isn’t the same as there’s…………..I am getting some what frustrated with hole thing

I suppose you’re right all I wish to do is kill pompous morons like you.
While I contemplated a simple forumban for your obvious trolling, baiting, and offensive behavior, I also took a moment to review your post history. It appears you have nothing whatsoever to contribute to this site, and have therefore had your nation deleted.

~ Frisbeeteria ~
NationStates Game Moderator
The One-Stop Rules Shop

Ouch.

Thanks Frisbeeteria... I guess my thread is dead now, but meh. It served its purpose anyway.

While I contemplated a simple forumban for your obvious trolling, baiting, and offensive behavior, I also took a moment to review your post history. It appears you have nothing whatsoever to contribute to this site, and have therefore had your nation deleted.

~ Frisbeeteria ~
NationStates Game Moderator
The One-Stop Rules Shop

Thank you much. He was looking for a pity party.

Marry me, Frisbee.

Getting back on track here, I think what it comes down to is the creation of value. If you have abundance in your life and wish to be able to share it with others, then by all means donate. If you are doing it out of a sense of guilt, that's not really creating value as much as it is transferring it. Much in the same way that one cannot be happy at the expense of others, one cannot make others happy at the expense of their own happiness.

Besides, people tend to be delusional when giving to charity. There is this tendency to believe that if they give 100 bucks to the Red Cross, they have just bought 100 bucks worth of food for starving disaster victims. More than likely, what they have just bought is about 10 bucks worth of food, 70 bucks worth of administrator's salary, and 20 bucks worth of logistic support. No, these are not exact numbers, nor am I insisting that they are accurate, but these are the kind of things to keep in mind when giving charitable contributions.

Well....

You give because you feel it's the right thing to do.

If you find yourself wondering if it's right to buy a toy for yourself, that is a hint you want to do something. Buy yourself the toy and they buy one for some poor kid.

I think the Red Cross is collecting stuff to give to the people......

Is it right to spend money on myself for purely entertainment purposes--games, music, vidios, eating out, etc etc--when other people need it much more, even if I give an equal or greater amount away? How much is a little bit more transitory happiness for me worth in comparison to a small drop added to the flow of aide? Please provide reasons...

That depends entirely on your own moral code. As long as your decision is consistent with the morals you normally have, it's ok. If adhering to normality feels extremely wrong, consider reviewing your lifeview on right and wrong and changing lifestyle.

That was theoretical blabber, now on to rough indications:

- If your morals are centered around self-interest, give exactly as much as makes you feel good, without endagering your lifestyle. If you normally vote republican or are a LaVey Satanist this is probably the right choice.
- If your morals are centered around the wellbeing of those you love and know you don't have to give anything, unless you know victims or if it would make your loved ones happier.
- If your morals are centered completely around the "greatest happyness principle"- that is "the greatest amount of happyness for the greatest amount of people" and there are very few people who depend on you - donate everything you own as well as your organs. If you choose this option I'd salute you - though that would be of little concern to you because you'd be dead.
- If your morals are centered mostly around the "greatest happyness principle" but with selfinterest - give as much as you can spare without making it impossible for you to live. True socialists and communists should like this option.
- If your morals are a mix between caring for your fellow men and selfinterest give slightly more than you can, meaning you must indeed sacrifice some luxuries. This option may appeal to Christians and democrats.

Regarding donations to charity (in this case, American Red Cross Disaster Relief).

Is it right to spend money on myself for purely entertainment purposes--games, music, vidios, eating out, etc etc--when other people need it much more, even if I give an equal or greater amount away? How much is a little bit more transitory happiness for me worth in comparison to a small drop added to the flow of aide? Please provide reasons...
This is a question only you can answer. If you have money to do those sorts of things, then you have what is called "discretionary income," which is at your "discretion" to spend in whatsoever way you choose. If your sense of compassion dictates that you donate it to those who might need it more than you do, then do so. If your need for diversion from the minutia of daily life is so great that you need some way to distract yourself, then do that. It's entirely up to your sense of what is appropriate for you at any given point in time.

Well....

You give because you feel it's the right thing to do.

If you find yourself wondering if it's right to buy a toy for yourself, that is a hint you want to do something. Buy yourself the toy and they buy one for some poor kid.

I think the Red Cross is collecting stuff to give to the people......

Well, in general gifts of objects are the most hidiously inefficient of ways to help... a $20 can be transported electronically from here to there, used to buy an object at a discount price for the purpuse of hurricaine relief, and given to a victim. The same item would probably cost 30$ off the shelf plus $4 to ship it.

Squeeky Rat and Eutrusca and PasturePastry, thankyou for your replies. I think I've come to a decision now (taking the general sentiment that seems to make sence, and giving what I can while not donating my liver and while still spending a little on "toys", and maybe see about getting to the vampie--er, red cross chapter hq to donate blood (I live just south of the middle of nowhere))

Thanks for all the helpful replies.