I’d say yea and no. I think being mindful of these things and reminding ourselves to be grateful if we forget are important- but it’s the human condition to a degree. We only know what we know, to us, that is “normal.” Most people don’t really dwell on how lucky they are to have hands or to be able to breathe unless something reminds us or takes them away- but people who have hands may regularly complain-
They hurt, the skin is dry, they can’t perform certain skills well enough with their hands etc.
we could say: “somewhere someone else with no hands would be happy to have dry skin on their hands if it meant having hands at all…” This is true, and we should be happy to have hands- yet the fact we have them doesn’t change that they are dry and we would rather they weren’t. I suppose there is a balance.
That's true. Of course, the cases I was referring to were the less than balanced ones. And one doesn't always need to have one's privileges taken away in order to gain perspective, but it is sadly the only way for some.
Agreed on all counts. Apologies for taking it in absolutes and not assuming context. I suppose to an extent it comes down to greed perhaps.
People who are grateful for what they have, wouldn’t mind more but don’t feel they are entitled to it, and wouldn’t take it from someone else to get it; and people who just want more because they aren’t happy with what they have, feel they are owed or deserve more, and would take from another or deny another what they need just so they could have more.
It is amazing though. Most people in the United States have the opportunity to fly on a plane or use the internet- common technologies but absolutely unprecedented and really amazing things if you think about human existence. Yet…. The wonder of these things is lost on us and they just are taken as mundane. So I agree with your point. It’s pretty wild what we just think is normal.
That's okay. I guess I could've been a bit more clear.
Yeah, desire for something comes down to need, ultimately. And greed could just be an extension of that. Maybe greedy people genuinely believe that what they want isn't too much, it's the bare minimum, and that's why it never feels like it's enough.
I can't imagine generous people are entirely selfless either. However, their desires may lead to them helping people rather than harming them.
And yeah, I didn't actually grow up with the internet, but I can't really imagine my life without it now. Sometimes I think I spend too much time online, but every time I can't get online I feel irritated. I am aware that are people who are and will live perfectly fulfilling lives without it though.
Ditto to not growing up with internet. It hadn’t been invented, but we also often didn’t have food- which had been invented. lol.
It’s a tricky proposition- greed. A million dollars is a lot of money… and it isn’t. Just like people who have can’t really know what it’s like not to, people who have not can’t really know what it’s like.
It’s actually very easy for someone to lose their wealth- even billionaires- if they aren’t careful. It seems ridiculous, but that “new worth” isn’t all cash- most is usually volatile. It gets really complex- but there are usually “lifestyle taxes” that go along with being in a position to make increasingly larger amounts- and when you add things like kids who people want to give “every opportunity” no amount can sometimes be enough.
And generosity is odd too. It’s easy to be generous when you have more than you need and then some. Bill Gates donating a million dollars… he probably doesn’t even feel an impact, but for someone with little to give $10 may be a high personal cost. What has been demonstrated is that generosity is often self serving- to mitigate guilt or to “buy” a good feeling the same as watching a film or taking a trip- people often give, at least in some part, as a method of self interest- either for their feelings or for the social perceptions and related status to others.
But I mean… that’s too complex lol. Does it make something “good” into “bad” because we get something out of it? If a person donates their life savings of $2000 and Bill Gates gives his couch change of $200k… $200k still does more good than $2000 even if the smaller amount is the greater personal sacrifice.
Many questions- but as you imply- there are thresholds most people know are “right” or “wrong” and would generally agree
Oh, I'm sorry. I actually do know what not having food is like.
Also, funny you should make that comparison about which donations would matter more.
I remember reading at some point that the US in the world largest provider of foreign aid in terms of actual sums of money donated. However, Sweden is the largest provider in terms of percentage of GDP.
It's interesting to consider which is more valuable. I mean both would be equally welcomed, but one country certainly makes a bigger effort than the other.
No worries, I’m sorry you’ve had to experience that as well, it sucked at the time but luckily that hasn’t been an issue for a long while for me- one of many things I’m grateful for and a source of perspective for me on the world.
The aid stat is interesting but not surprising sadly. I mean, with all the wealth and abundance we don’t even provide enough aid to people within our borders. Too many people asking what’s in it for them or getting upset someone else gets it “for free” when they have to “work for it.”
I’d like to see more aid programs here and abroad designed not just to give money but to build futures and help create sustainable self sufficiency. Although our foreign aid often comes in half measures and with quite a few strings attached too- so that muddies the waters as well.
They hurt, the skin is dry, they can’t perform certain skills well enough with their hands etc.
we could say: “somewhere someone else with no hands would be happy to have dry skin on their hands if it meant having hands at all…” This is true, and we should be happy to have hands- yet the fact we have them doesn’t change that they are dry and we would rather they weren’t. I suppose there is a balance.
People who are grateful for what they have, wouldn’t mind more but don’t feel they are entitled to it, and wouldn’t take it from someone else to get it; and people who just want more because they aren’t happy with what they have, feel they are owed or deserve more, and would take from another or deny another what they need just so they could have more.
It is amazing though. Most people in the United States have the opportunity to fly on a plane or use the internet- common technologies but absolutely unprecedented and really amazing things if you think about human existence. Yet…. The wonder of these things is lost on us and they just are taken as mundane. So I agree with your point. It’s pretty wild what we just think is normal.
Yeah, desire for something comes down to need, ultimately. And greed could just be an extension of that. Maybe greedy people genuinely believe that what they want isn't too much, it's the bare minimum, and that's why it never feels like it's enough.
I can't imagine generous people are entirely selfless either. However, their desires may lead to them helping people rather than harming them.
And yeah, I didn't actually grow up with the internet, but I can't really imagine my life without it now. Sometimes I think I spend too much time online, but every time I can't get online I feel irritated. I am aware that are people who are and will live perfectly fulfilling lives without it though.
It’s a tricky proposition- greed. A million dollars is a lot of money… and it isn’t. Just like people who have can’t really know what it’s like not to, people who have not can’t really know what it’s like.
It’s actually very easy for someone to lose their wealth- even billionaires- if they aren’t careful. It seems ridiculous, but that “new worth” isn’t all cash- most is usually volatile. It gets really complex- but there are usually “lifestyle taxes” that go along with being in a position to make increasingly larger amounts- and when you add things like kids who people want to give “every opportunity” no amount can sometimes be enough.
But I mean… that’s too complex lol. Does it make something “good” into “bad” because we get something out of it? If a person donates their life savings of $2000 and Bill Gates gives his couch change of $200k… $200k still does more good than $2000 even if the smaller amount is the greater personal sacrifice.
Many questions- but as you imply- there are thresholds most people know are “right” or “wrong” and would generally agree
Also, funny you should make that comparison about which donations would matter more.
I remember reading at some point that the US in the world largest provider of foreign aid in terms of actual sums of money donated. However, Sweden is the largest provider in terms of percentage of GDP.
It's interesting to consider which is more valuable. I mean both would be equally welcomed, but one country certainly makes a bigger effort than the other.
The aid stat is interesting but not surprising sadly. I mean, with all the wealth and abundance we don’t even provide enough aid to people within our borders. Too many people asking what’s in it for them or getting upset someone else gets it “for free” when they have to “work for it.”
I’d like to see more aid programs here and abroad designed not just to give money but to build futures and help create sustainable self sufficiency. Although our foreign aid often comes in half measures and with quite a few strings attached too- so that muddies the waters as well.