ratherastory (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ratherastory) wrote2011-03-22 12:38 pm
ratherastory) wrote2011-03-22 12:38 pm
Not-quite fandom stuff
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.
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.
no subject
Lord knows this is one million times more beneficial to the universe than the thousands of dollars that ppl paid to hear Jensen and $10Manns warble covers or to watch a no-name band with Jared and Gen.
If, like you say, ONE person's consciousness is raised and if just ONE person in Haiti benefits from this, that is doing far more for the world than paying the same amount of money to sit in a room with a celeb for twenty minutes.
no subject
Oh, yes. Thank you. Folks pay this sort of money just to sit in the same room and take a picture with a celeb.
So the idea of using that same celebrity to funnel money into something concrete is really pretty smart. I understand why folks find it squicky, but at the same time I think the opportunity to really consciousness raise is something that cannot be denied. And from what it sounds like, the money people are fundraising for this project is going directly into buying building supplies and materials. There's an accountability here that is so rare with most operations like this. At the end of the day I just can't be mad about someone donating 5K to build an orphanage and spending a week helping to construct it. And yes maybe many of these fans are only "in it" for Misha/Matt. But honestly I just don't care b/c at the end of the day we are putting their labor and money to good use. And I cannot stress how completely ravaged and in need of aid Haiti is. The devastation is immense and it'll take a generation or more to recover. No one who goes to volunteer there will come back unchanged. And if we can just shift one person's consiousness and at the same time build a community center where there once was nothing before, then I can't be mad.
(frozen comment) no subject
I agree that it's great that people are contributing to a worthy cause, but I don't understand why you feel the need to insult Jensen, Jason and their fans. People have the right to spend their money as they see fit. I'd love to have the opportunity to hear Jensen and Jason sing together. Doesn't mean I can't also donate to worthy causes and I'm sure Jensen, Jason, Jared and Genevieve also support charities in which they believe.
(frozen comment) no subject
2. There is no transparency in the supposed charity sharing that Jensen or Jared did from those cons. If you are able to show conclusive proof to the contrary, please do.
3. From my comment below that you seem to have missed "Besides, isn't the refrain against ppl spending this amount of money on cons "its their money, they can so what they want"? Then surely spending this money is not only their prerogative, but makes the world a far better place than it was before than any con can ever do."
(frozen comment) no subject
So describing Jason as '$10Manns' wasn't intended to be insulting? Using the word 'warble' was meant as a compliment? Suggesting that people aren't benefiting the universe by spending money to hear people sing wasn't intended as a dig? Describing a band as 'no-name' was meant as praise?
Nowhere in my post did I suggest that Jensen or Jared shared money from cons with charities. I simply said that I was sure they have charities which they support.
I also started my post by saying that I think it's great that people are contributing to a worthwhile cause. I just don't think it's necessary to take pot shots at other people when making a point.
(frozen comment) no subject
Jensen is not a professional singer, so the word choice of warble is correct. Reading one fan report from the event would clearly support this. As would the $10 story.
"No-name" means just that. That no one knows who they are. If you'll recall, that is the entire reason that Jared had them at two recent cons - so ppl would know who they are.
Both the JManns and Jensen singing and Jared and Gen's auction both clearly stated that part of the proceeds would be donated to charity. As of yet, the amount and to whom has not been disclosed. There is no transperency there, which you'll recall is what I asked you to show proof of since I was specifically talking about that (and your repeated quoting of my comment shows). You don't seem to know either, so I'm not sure why you must insist to the contrary.
I took no potshots, merely stated facts. If you would like to verify them on your own, I suggest you do so since you seem convinced that I am either a liar or unkind. Both of which are untrue and, frankly I'm taken aback that you would level those accusations at someone you do not know.
(frozen comment) no subject