Posts by Michael Savidge
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you made me
weak-willed
Off-topic.
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Praise is a mighty motivator for some. The fact is they’re doing something, not nothing, for a change and that generally feels good. Some good will come of it. Why is it naff?
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Speaker: The act of not eating doesn't…, in reply to Lilith __,
(I have helped by endeavouring to not bring any caramel slice into the office)
That’s what I take issue with, right there.
How can this not seem like tokenism?
Admittedly a bit flippant Lilith, but the reality is that a large amount of money will be raised that would otherwise likely not have been - due to the impact of the campaign and the fact that it draws people in and gets them participating. Doesn't every little bit count and, god forbid, it may just be an idealistic means to an end. How much real damage is done in tokenistic behaviour as opposed to the tangible alleviation of immediate suffering in some poor bastard's life half way around the world? It strikes me as highfalutin concern trolling to weigh one up against the other.
Anyway, I was supposed to be making a shamefaced withdrawal and you made me rant all over the place again.
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I've made a terrible mistake.
My earnest rant above is completely codswallopy. Kind of. I was defending a different campaign - Eat So They Can - which is also run by my colleagues (told you I was new). However, I've come to realise that the original post was more to do with eating disorders than objectively assessing poverty reduction campaigns - so I spoke out of turn.
So...ahem...as you were.
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Disclosure: I work alongside people involved in running the campaign in NZ, but have had no part to play in its execution. I’m new there and it precedes me by a few years.
So, where to start?. It’s a valid argument you make Amberleigh but I think you missed something important here. You ask why we can’t challenge people to go without other things, and you argue that to focus on food to illuminate poverty issues is dangerous and manipulative. The Below the Line campaign is directly focused on food security issues and, as such, is designed to get people thinking and acting on that issue. It’s not about the internet or phone minutes or flash cars; those things are generally irrelevant when you’re literally malnourished and hungry. The money raised goes to nutrition programs.
I’m not participating myself but my next cubicle-colleague is, and many of the other staff have at one stage or another. We happen to know exactly where the money goes. There are unpaid interns studying development issues giving it all they’ve got to again, literally, raise people’s awareness. This week the staff have made group lunches by combining their meagre rations and have managed to create filling and nutritious meals (I have helped by endeavouring to not bring any caramel slice into the office).
There seems to be a fair few out there who sneer and scoff and disparage something like this. Well fuck you. The world has many problems and you wouldn’t want your kids living like 1.2 billion odd people have to…every day. You can either be the change or watch the change or ignore the change, your choice. But don’t give grief to individuals or groups who choose the former and make personal sacrifices (cos there’s few tasty salaries in this game) for humanitarian reasons.
A few posts back the campaign spokesperson stepped up and acknowledged the concerns Amberleigh had raised. He/she also committed to future considerations on the issue. But the reality of unintended consequences surely does not mean that the original intention is skewed or naive or callous or ignorant.
I’d give my left testicle for world peace and of course the question must go out. Got any better ideas?
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Congrats. I have so much respect for what you've created here Russell and co. I imagine it's pretty close to your initial idealistic vision (and may have even exceeded it) and I believe it certainly stands alone in NZ media for the quality and humanity of its content and comments - and the awesomnity(TM) of the grammar!!
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He's a good man Charlie Brown.
Obama thanking his campaign staff.
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Interesting to have not seen or heard any mention of the passing of Amendment 64 (legalising marijuana in Colorado) in our local news feeds. It's quite a big deal I would have thought.
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hope these aren’t too vegan disquieting…
Hey, I resemble that etc...
PA Salad. Mix it up.
Many fine good giggles in this thread....I smell a winner :)
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George says things that are applicable to any political question you may have. RIP.