“The charity model of the world is not a reality. Human beings do not act out of kindness. Human beings act out of self-interest, putting themselves, their family, their country first. Human beings are selfish beings.”
“The charity model of the world is impossible. People cannot give their time or attention free of charge. What’s in it for them? There’s always something in it for them. To run the planet on good vibes and altruism is an experiment in failure.”
“The charity model of the world is highly unlikely. How can we be good to one another simply for the sake of being good? How can we give without taking? How can we show compassion without compensation? How can we love without ego?”
The charity model of the world is possible. Maybe citizens can expand their orbit of concern. Maybe kindness can run a country. Maybe the human race is like a big family.
***
I care about myself and so I care about the loved ones around me. I care about the loved ones around me and so I care about the people they have around them. I care about the people around my loved ones and so I care about the people who shape those people. I care about the people who shape the people around my loved ones and so I care about the people who shape those people. And so on.
In the end, I care about the bettering of myself and therefore of all those around me. I care that we are all shaped in a better way.
The charity model of the world is one of giving. Charity is kindness-giving. I care about myself and so I give kindness to myself. I give kindness to myself and so I give kindness to the loved ones close to me. I give kindness to the loved ones close to me and so I give kindness to those who are close to them. I give kindness to those who are close to my loved ones and so I give kindness to those who are close to them.
In the end, I give for the betterment of myself and all those around me. This is charity.
There are many good reasons to follow charity, few good reasons to avoid it, many good potential effects of charity, and few bad potential consequences.
***
Let’s say I give my time as charity. I give my time to teach someone a valuable lesson. I do not expect nor receive anything in return.
What are good reasons to do this? First, the person to whom I give knows that I give from my heart, not from a desire for payment or prestige. I am seen, from their view, as more pure. This also goes for a third, or fourth, or fifth person who has witnessed this. Second, this purity builds trust. This purity will be remembered in future opportunities, and I will be called upon in these situations because I am seen as reliable and trustworthy. Third, this purity builds community. Charity builds bridges, as more and more people feel they can safely commune with me.
What are good reasons to avoid being charitable with my time? First, I might not have enough of it, and I might spread myself too thin. I cannot be charitable with something I do not have or cannot provide. Second, my time might be taken advantage of. Others might believe they can easily sap my time and run away with it.
In the end, the potential good is exponential, creating waves that can lift many others. The potential bad ends only with my demise. What am I compared with humanity? What good is my good compared with the good of all humans?
***
Charity is not ego, though it starts with one. If you do not care for yourself, you cannot care for others. When you care for others, you care for yourself. This does not make you selfish.
If this is possible for people, it is possible for countries. It is a possible model for this world.
In other words, it is possible that the world does not run on payment or reputation. It is possible to create a world where the question “What’s in it for me?” is the same as “What’s in it for you?” which is the same as “What’s in it for us?”
This model does not erase distinction. This does not mean that my good is always your good, and this does not mean we give the same to all.
What is erased by this model is the impurity and inefficiency of self-interest. No longer must our interests end with our inner circle. No longer must our concern end with our country’s border.
Purity comes through a selfishness that expands, not collapses, into selflessness.
Ma(’)s Espacio 