There was discussion with myself and a friend the last night. We were chatting about many things, and the topic of why people give to causes came up. Of the many reasons proposed, the two strongest seemed to be:
- Personal belief in the cause
- Always Done It, That's How I Was Raised
There were others, which seem like they should cover at least some part of the spectrum. I've worked in fundraising before, and one of the huge techniques is to always ask for a high amount. If you want $20, ask for $50, and then everyone's happy -- they feel like they got a deal, and you got what you wanted. And if you get $50, you're even better of.
Some people will always give, and just need someone to prod them, and insist that now is the time to give. The weak-willed, if you will.
And, of course, some people don't give anything, ever.
Then there's the panhandlers and so forth. They ask for money for food or bus fare, but the common belief is they're "just going to spend it on drugs" -- is it true? How do you verify it? I'll admit, I don't give anything to panhandlers, but that's usually because I really don't have anything. I try not to carry cash or change as much as possible and live by the All Powerful Debit Card.
But to the experiment. It was decided that people will give, for no reason, because someone comes along and says that now is the time to give to a cause. That cause being good or bad, but now is the time.
So I say to you:
I am poor, hungry, and lonely. I require money, for food, booze, and a hookers.
To that end, give me a dollar.
(see below)Make a donation
Vote. In a couple days, I'll see what the results are, draw some horribly wrong and somewhat interesting conclusion, and to make people feel better about themselves, forward the resulting dollars to some charity (leave suggestions, eh?).
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I've scrolled off the front page, and I figured I should come clean -- our discussion -- my friend and I -- wasn't so much a discussion as a bet. He assumes people are naive and stupid and really will fork over "only" a buck 'cause someone says so.
I said people aren't that stupid. He suggested a dkos diary on the topic. Thanks. While no one was kind enough to randomly give me a dollar, I do get a free lunch out it. ;)