When you have a business-- especially a retail store-- it's inevitable that you'll get hit up for all sorts of things. People always want to sell you something. Here at our gallery, it's typically donations for all manners of "do good" organizations.
The view from the park
For whatever reason, I'm in a bit of an ornery mood today... somewhat lacking in kindness and grace towards a certain segment of human endeavors... or rather, how they gloss over their true nature.
Volunteering. Donations. Philanthropy. On the surface, we think of these things as being part of "charities" and what activities those undertake is typically organized by "volunteers." We're sold the idea that our giving "for good," and somehow transcends the machinery of daily commerce.
And yet?
They typically have substantial "fundraising budgets," and much of what they collect doesn't actually end up in the hands of the intended beneficiaries, but in the pockets of a variety of staff members and service providers.
Maybe this just makes sense, because we live in a world where "things cost money."
Can We Truly Be Altruistic?
Seems to me that as long as food, transportation, energy and other things cost money, it is all but impossible to be truly altruistic.
Northern sunset
Until we actually live in the moneyless universe envisioned by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry there can be no such thing as "pure" philanthropic efforts. Everything remains locked in some form of commercial enterprise.
What's more, when we look at the "core" of things, everything has an opportunity cost, as well as a real cost.
I was thinking about that, this morning.
Even though it's not "charity," because I am here on Steemit, putting effort into this blog... I also have the "opportunity cost" of not having time to keep up with my other niche blogs as well. So there's a "cost" to earning rewards on Steemit... called declining revenues from AdSense, which is where I previously earned a few cents for blogging.
Similarly, when someone volunteers to do charitable work, they are typically giving up hours they would otherwise be at work getting paid... as a result of which there's a hidden implication that out of the $100 they collect from a well-meaning donor, something will be paid towards their lunch and transportation. And maybe other expenses.
The Uniqueness of Steemit
Yellow desert flowers
Interestingly enough, one of the closest things I have seen to a true "giving economy" is what we have here on Steemit.
When we upvote someone's post or comment, it is actually without cost or opportunity cost to us. The other person is simply better off. Because my nature does tend towards the idealistic, that is one of the most attractive features about our community.
Which is one of the reasons I can't help but think that Steemit would be an excellent venue for for fundraising.
What do YOU think? What's your approach to charities? Do you see them as altruistic, or largely commercial enterprises? Is that always true? What are your thoughts on Steemit as a venue for charities? Leave a comment-- share your experiences and feedback-- be part of the conversation!
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Published 20170814 17:56 PDT