Cynicism may be one of the few ways to remain sane in this starving world. Looking through the prism of a skeptic allows us not to fall for cheap and empty promises, to question how much of donated materials and effort reach their intended destination, and to consider more effective options for aid and assistance.
Personally, I am not easy to convince when it comes to charity. I'd much rather volunteer time and effort. Yet, I can't stop wondering if harm reduction is all we could do at the moment. Charity collectors in the streets of Boston have not failed to amaze me with perseverance and cheerfulness even in the freezing single-digit temperatures of winter. Great actors those guys and gals. Not long ago I decided not to stare down at my feet while passing by one such "hustler" by being so naturally distracted that I failed to notice him coming my way and to act distracted. Too late to pretend, I was left with two options and I didn't have the guts to run. And I am glad I didn't. What I learned from a pretty lengthy conversation was that the person I had feared would sweet talk me into doing something I had been careful to avoid was actually clueless. Not only was he the worst salesman I have ever met, lacking the type of magical charisma that would turn a stone-cold, heartless person like me into Mother Theresa, but he barely knew anything specific about the organization he was supposed to represent. I guess it didn't help him much that I had previously casually researched it, not to mention my educational background and interest in aid. He ended my monologue with a sincere regret that he had wasted his time with me, because "[I was] a good person and knew a lot." Those were his words, not mine for mine would have been something along this line: "You can't expect to easily persuade anyone to do a thing, for which they have made it their life goal to find a reliable substitute."
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