Not-quite fandom stuff

[ratherastory]

Y'know, I think it's awesome that Random Acts is trying to raise a ton of money for Haiti. God knows, that country needs all the help it can get in order to rebuild after last year's earthquake.

It's just... I am seriously uncomfortable at the idea of fans "raising" $5000 in order to go with Misha et al. to Haiti in order to have a more "personal connection" to what they're doing, or whatever. I just can't help but feel that that aspect of this fundraiser is entirely made of fail. The idea of a group of tourists (feel free to disagree with my nomenclature, but to me that's what they are) going over to witness how grateful the natives are for their munificence just sets my teeth on edge.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. After all, the money is going where it's supposed to, so it can't be all bad. It's just pushing several of my squick buttons.

Comments

[pinkphoenix1985.livejournal.com]

I think that it's great that people are raising money but honestly? I don't really like the whole "give money, get a reward" thing. I know that it brings in people along with their money to the fundraisers but I firmly believe in giving for the sake of giving you know? I give money and I don't expect to get anything other than a heartfelt thank you for donating and even I don't have to get that ;)

And on the relevant note- WHAT?!?! I knew that Random Acts was raising money but I didn't know about this!

[peppervl.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of donating for a reward when it's something like the fandom auctions where it encourages people who might not otherwise donate give a small amount and lets people who can't donate money still help contribute. But everything given there comes from an outside source.

This, where a lot of people are likely doing it for the wrong reasons, rubs me wrong. As do things like the donation requests you get in the mail, promising blankets or stuffed animals or picture frames or whatever for donating a certain amount. People should donate to Haiti/Random Acts because they want to, not because they'll get to hang out with Misha and Matt. And charities should spend their donations on their cause and operating expenses, not on buying and sending out trinkets to donors.

I guess I feel like there is significant potential to do harm or take away from the good being done with both of those scenarios, where in something like a fan auction, there isn't, because the fic/art/goodies/whatever being offered comes from a completely outside source. If that makes sense.

[nyoka.livejournal.com]

This, where a lot of people are likely doing it for the wrong reasons, rubs me wrong.
...
People should donate to Haiti/Random Acts because they want to, not because they'll get to hang out with Misha and Matt.

Jumping in to say I understand what you're saying but I guess my question is: does it matter that the reasons are "wrong" if at the end of the day a lot of money is being raised to help a devastated country? A country that most of the world has already forgotten. Folks on the ground are not going to turn away aid and volunteers just b/c a few people's motives were less than upstanding. I do have a big intellectual critique of how most of Western charities and humanitarian aid groups are run (you make a good point about the problems with awards and incentives and understanding people's motivations) but I don't really see a lot of those problems with this particular program. For instance, the organization is not spending boatloads of additional money just to bring in some outside celebrity to promote the cause -- the celebrities are the ones already running the operation. They are the "award" as you say -- and since they already there working on the issue, why not use that same celebrity to draw more people and funds in? To me in this case the award itself is just as organic to the fundraising as with a fic auction. Misha and Matt are building a community center -- why not use their celebrity to bring additional funds, money, and volunteer labor to the operation?

[peppervl.livejournal.com]

I'm glad the money is being raised and that awareness is being generated. I also know how obsessive fans can get, and I'm afraid that there will be people going who won't see past Misha & Matt and will be disillusioned rather than enlightened.

I like the idea. I like that Misha is using his celebrity to help. I like that Matt is joining in.

I would be more comfortable with the idea if it was presented more as "Random Acts is going to Haiti, raise money and come help," than "Misha Collins and Matt Cohen are going to Haiti, raise money to join them." Maybe tease that Misha may show up some--make it more of a bonus than a guaranteed thing that is ultimately what people will be fighting for.

I love the idea. I'm wary of the execution.

[pinkphoenix1985.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. I just think that donating money shouldn't be conditioned with receiving a reward for doing so.

I'm not saying anything against the wonderful comms who do this and have raised so much money for the various disasters that have happened around the world recently. I think that they are doing an important job which is needed!

I just wonder about people who ONLY donate their money because there is a reward involved.