posted at 10/20/2006
"I bought a Limited Edition Red Ipod Nano AND $10.00 went to help save Aids victims!"
Is it just me, or does anyone else find that really messed up? I've been getting really sick of seeing charitable acts through corporations. Hear me out on this one. I believe charities are great and I am seriously looking into giving more of my time and money to such things. There is nothing better than helping another person out. However, I don't think we should have to buy products to donate to struggling people. Nor do I think we should buy a product specifically because they are supporting a cause.
Let's do the math here. Say you bought the Limited Edition Red Ipod Nano supporting a cure for AIDS (I hold nothing against those that own this because they wanted an ipod), attended a "Rock for Darfur" concert and bought pink m&m's and oreos for the cure to Breast Cancer (which ironically, is on the no-no list of a good anti-cancer diet.) Though one site suggested that "Rock for Darfur" donates $1 for every $27-$37 ticket sold, I can't find any hard evidence. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt and give them $8 donation towards Darfur relief. With that added up, I hope you feel good donating $21.00 out of the $241.00 you spent on entertainment. That is about 90% spent on yourself. Is it necessary to be entertained before giving to others who really need it? I'm sorry, but it sounds like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Again, I am very much for charity! But I would have a hard time "rocking out" and enjoying myself at a concert with the reminder that the people "I'm supporting" don't even have a home to sleep in anymore. What happened to just giving out of your own good will? Since when do we need something out of it?
On the corporate / business side, I am honestly excited when I hear a company donates a majority of their product's sale to a cause. It's awesome when they donate ALL proceeds and stuff. None of this half-ass $10 out of $200 for an ipod stuff. Then it seems promotional. Like they are sending their customers a vibe of satisfaction if they buy a special version of a product that symbolizes their generosity. In my perspective, I have a feeling that Apple is benefiting more from their Red Ipod than what the AIDS research organization they are donating to is.
Really, this blog is more on a personal level, however. Bottom line is, we need to be less selfish. We don't need anything in return for donating. It's not authentic giving if you are expecting something out of the deal. It's easier than ever to wire money to an organization without the help of Frito-Lay or Energizer Batteries. This is all a reminder to myself, too. I need to donate more, time and money. I'm actually glad I'm a little pizzed. There is importance to charity.
If you think I'm off my rocker, I'd like to hear from you. nick@nickdavis.org
Web design is kind of like the whole wheel thing. You can't reinvent wheels, but you can slap some spinners on them and make them awesome and exciting again.
-Nick Davis, 2006
posted at 10/4/2006
posted at 10/2/2006