Charity
There was this NKF fund-raising show on TV last night. All proceeds will go to caring for the "unfortunate" children and of course, the big paychecks of those taking care of them. The local celebrities, as usual, were so enthusiastic and keen to raise funds, that they are willing to lay their lives down. Well, almost. It is amusing yet ironic to see them perform. The use of "dangerous" stunts contradicts the fact they have countless safety wires strapped to them.
I'm not saying that their efforts are not commendable. On the contrary, I think they have put in their more than their fair share of sweat and toil. Dangerous? Yes. Life-threatening? Well, unless the wires snap or some backstage crew decide to murder them on national TV. Both are in the ballpark of 1 in a 500 000 chance. Everyone knows this fact but yet yet the media likes to make a big fuss over the amount of "tremendous" risk that they are undertaking. Get a life, people! Think of it from another angle. Who would want to risk their lives for some people that have zero relationship with?
I also caught a short footage about this mom with her retarded son. I guess they needed all those puffy eyes and whimpering sobs to garner in more calls. It's one thing to let people know how unfortunate they are but it is another thing to cash in on the viewers' sympathy. That's so underhanded and sly. I abhor such lousy tactics.
Looking at the footage, something came across my mind. What is the chance of the son leading a normal life, granted that he gets all the assistance he needs? What is his role in the society? Can he contribute? If so, how much? Nobody wants to think about or even answer such questions, for the answers are as obvious as they are cruel. He's a leech, a parasite, feeding off the society for as long as he lives. There is no symbiotic relationship at all. There's a Chinese saying that says that whatever one takes from the society, one has to give something back in return. What is he returning?
During my stint in the maintenance unit, I learnt two terms that can be aptly used here. BER (Beyond Economic Repair) and cannibalise (the removal of good parts from many different vehicles to make another vehicle functional). I think charities should really support only those who are not BER, that is, they can still contribute to the society. Examples would be like those handicapped who are in a healthy state of mind (and body) and can still work, those near/below poverty line, etc. In short, those who are of economic value to the society. Those who are terminally ill, bedridden, total paralysis and can no longer live without support from the public funds, are classified as BER. It doesn't really make a difference whether they live or not; they are not contributing in either case. The key here is, without them, funds can be appropriated to those non-BER people.
However, those BER people still can serve a purpose, a one-off thing though. Corneas, kidneys, blood, heart, liver, bone marrow and whatever organs that can be transplanted can be harvested from them. Cannibalise them and make those people who are in need of such organs perfect so they can be more productive and contribute to the society. Sacrifice a few for the general well-being of the society, why not? Of course, there will be many tears and heartbreaks but they are all part of the package too.
I know, I know, the way I put it is cruel and inhumane. But this is life. We should be diverting resources to where they are needed most and has the ability to return a dividend, not wasting resources on something that will never generate a positive return.
I guess what I said will never probably turn true. Humans are too blinded by emotionals to act rationally. They would rather hold on to the hope that the relative in coma will awake someday, than use his kidneys to save another person. Ever seen injured animals running around? How long more do you think they can survive, after your chance encounter? Will you see it again? The fact that injured animals don't live long gives the impression that animals are all strong and healthy. No, they are as frail as us. A fall could break a bone or even bring death. What sets us apart from them is our ability to think, conceptualise and more importantly, feel emotions. Which is why most fall prey to sob tactics employed by charities.
Oh well, I guess until the day humans become numb to emotions, there will always be charities. But I'm going to make sure my dollar goes to a productive charity next time I donate. You guys call your shots; it's your money after all.
I'm not saying that their efforts are not commendable. On the contrary, I think they have put in their more than their fair share of sweat and toil. Dangerous? Yes. Life-threatening? Well, unless the wires snap or some backstage crew decide to murder them on national TV. Both are in the ballpark of 1 in a 500 000 chance. Everyone knows this fact but yet yet the media likes to make a big fuss over the amount of "tremendous" risk that they are undertaking. Get a life, people! Think of it from another angle. Who would want to risk their lives for some people that have zero relationship with?
I also caught a short footage about this mom with her retarded son. I guess they needed all those puffy eyes and whimpering sobs to garner in more calls. It's one thing to let people know how unfortunate they are but it is another thing to cash in on the viewers' sympathy. That's so underhanded and sly. I abhor such lousy tactics.
Looking at the footage, something came across my mind. What is the chance of the son leading a normal life, granted that he gets all the assistance he needs? What is his role in the society? Can he contribute? If so, how much? Nobody wants to think about or even answer such questions, for the answers are as obvious as they are cruel. He's a leech, a parasite, feeding off the society for as long as he lives. There is no symbiotic relationship at all. There's a Chinese saying that says that whatever one takes from the society, one has to give something back in return. What is he returning?
During my stint in the maintenance unit, I learnt two terms that can be aptly used here. BER (Beyond Economic Repair) and cannibalise (the removal of good parts from many different vehicles to make another vehicle functional). I think charities should really support only those who are not BER, that is, they can still contribute to the society. Examples would be like those handicapped who are in a healthy state of mind (and body) and can still work, those near/below poverty line, etc. In short, those who are of economic value to the society. Those who are terminally ill, bedridden, total paralysis and can no longer live without support from the public funds, are classified as BER. It doesn't really make a difference whether they live or not; they are not contributing in either case. The key here is, without them, funds can be appropriated to those non-BER people.
However, those BER people still can serve a purpose, a one-off thing though. Corneas, kidneys, blood, heart, liver, bone marrow and whatever organs that can be transplanted can be harvested from them. Cannibalise them and make those people who are in need of such organs perfect so they can be more productive and contribute to the society. Sacrifice a few for the general well-being of the society, why not? Of course, there will be many tears and heartbreaks but they are all part of the package too.
I know, I know, the way I put it is cruel and inhumane. But this is life. We should be diverting resources to where they are needed most and has the ability to return a dividend, not wasting resources on something that will never generate a positive return.
I guess what I said will never probably turn true. Humans are too blinded by emotionals to act rationally. They would rather hold on to the hope that the relative in coma will awake someday, than use his kidneys to save another person. Ever seen injured animals running around? How long more do you think they can survive, after your chance encounter? Will you see it again? The fact that injured animals don't live long gives the impression that animals are all strong and healthy. No, they are as frail as us. A fall could break a bone or even bring death. What sets us apart from them is our ability to think, conceptualise and more importantly, feel emotions. Which is why most fall prey to sob tactics employed by charities.
Oh well, I guess until the day humans become numb to emotions, there will always be charities. But I'm going to make sure my dollar goes to a productive charity next time I donate. You guys call your shots; it's your money after all.
posted by hg @ 19:40
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