Edit: Is this text size too small?
Today, we were told to watch an eight-minute movie (approx.) and juxtapose that with the Singer's Solution to World Poverty paper by Peter Singer. The movie was about a few Americans who decided to make a difference in the lives of one Chinese family by giving them an actual water buffalo. This buffalo, if used to work, could help plow fields; if butchered, it would feed one family for about fifteen years (or so the guide said). It was a thoughtful and wonderful thing to do, and I do admire people who do such generous things.
* Off-topic: Today, when our President made his State of the Union speech, he talked about one man who, upon seeing another man fall into the path of an oncoming train, jumped in and rolled the man between the rails where they stayed until the train had passed. This man could have easily turned away, covered the eyes of his two daughters and told them to close their ears. Instead, he saved a life, risking his own in the process. Truly amazing, I think.
Holding this against Singer's Solution to World Poverty, I think I had less of a "beef" with the water buffalo video; it wasn't trying to tell you to give, give, give, because you're an American and you live a cushy life. It showed us a simple story of how a few simple contributions can make another family's life that much easier. The video was much more convincing than the paper; perhaps too much persuasion pushes people in the opposite direction. Or it just pushes the stubborn ones (myself included) in the opposite direction.
Both video and essay speak of the importance of reaching out, but the reasoning and presentation are entirely different; the video works more through actions than the essay, which works through "logic" and persuasion, using morality as a foundation for each argument. Which one worked for you? Was it just me, or did they give off different... for lack of a better word, "auras"?
Why is it that money, the one thing that people say shouldn't matter, is what makes the most difference in this world? They say money can't buy happiness, but is that true? If I think about it... I don't know. Without money, I couldn't attend the school I do now. If I couldn't attend my school, how would I keep in touch with friends? Where would I get my chance to meet new people? Where would I find a job? Where would I get the chance to turn my life around? How would I eat? Where would I sleep? What would happen if I got sick or hurt?
How influential is money in our lives?
Going back to Singer's Solution, a comment on my other post informed me of the fact that ("the fact that" is a phrase I should really stop using) AUW's 15% actually goes to its workers/helpers and to other programs. I don't know. So... yeah. Maybe 15% out of a donation isn't all that bad if it's helping someone. I suppose it's all right. *shrugs*
II
New question(s) raised:
5. What is a life worth? (In what "currency"?)
6. Are some lives worth more than others? Who should be helped first? The most?
III
Quotes (x5)
"Someone told me that love would all save us..."
-- Nickelback
前を向いてればまた会えますか?
{ If I keep on looking forward, will we meet again? }-- Utada Hikaru, Passion
にどと会えぬ人に場所に窓を開ける
{ Towards the people, the places I will never see again, I open this window. }-- Utada Hikaru, Passion
"Why do we rush to slow down?"
-- TRAPT, Lost Realist
"We can't be together forever."
-- Hayner, KHII
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