A comment or two will be greeted with warm hands.

22 May 2008

Obliged Favours

Unrelated Stuff: I've joined Curryegg in her cause. Pictures arousing pity-ness uploaded and blog frame is changed to a more pinkish colour. (The frame colour doesn't show up on Internet Explorer though)


As we enter the golden age of humanity, things got more complicated. There is the written law so massive that no single person knows em all. And there is the unwritten code practiced by the public. Apart from abiding the law, we are sometimes obliged to follow certain unwritten code practiced by the public. (eg: People are not suppose to fart outside toilet territory) If thats ridiculous to you, it gets worse. There are times when we are FORCED to do a favour.

Have you heard about the Yao's 'stingy' China quake donation sparks debate?
Some may stop and think: "Wait a minute... Since when are favours forced upon?"

Let me illustrate the dilemma above with this example.
A billionaire in Sichuan so rich, so powerful that everyone expect him to donate millions to survivors of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. After all, a couple of millions is like nothing to him.
If he comply to charity events, its normal cause he is expected to give back to the society for what he earn. If he doesn't donate a single cent, the public is gonna expose him of his "evil" scheme condemning him for a favour that he refuse to do.
What the hell is happening here? Why is the public demanding for a favour that he is not required by law to do?
Back in the good old days when the world is being ruled by the single most powerful man on earth with an iron fist, the rule was simple. Never provoke the rich and powerful! Beg the Pharaoh, and he'll demonstrate his flying kick Asian style. Lay a finger on the king, and his guard will slay you down. Protest against the government and the royal assassins will hunt you down.

I'm not sure if thats how history was, but I have a very strong feeling thats how things work back then. If I'm living in that era, I wouldn't want to mess with the big guy. Heck, I wouldn't even ask for favour from the rich and powerful no matter how desperate things seemed.

Now, things are different. Instead of avoiding the big guy, the public stalk them now. When someone is famous, all sorts of people go to them expecting good deeds to be done. It is as if the public is imposing some sort of obligation to these special group of people.

In conclusion, people expect the influential to perform acts of kindness towards the society. If the influential oblige, its perfectly normal. If they don't, they are a bunch of evil people.
[sarcasm] I guess this wouldn't affect any big time bloggers in any way even if they are filthy rich or super famous. Thats cause they won't be able to see real people begging them to perform any act of kindness. Where is the fun if I can't experience people begging me? [/sarcasm]

What do guys think? Do you think you will feel obliged to contribute to the society when you have become an influential figure in the future?


[Top Comment by Yeong]
come to think of it. it's so thoughtful of you to mention about how perfectly normal it is for the influential to oblige, because i don't see any wrong too.
I don't even see why did they report yao's "stinginess" (hey at least he did his part) while all those media crew do are to chunk gossips into headlines. not doing almost anything to help the people in the quake but to pry celebs' lives and compare and contrast? gee, it isn't really the time now. i think media these days are just...unbelievable.

15 comments:

Fireopal said...

sounds like a GP question... hmmmm

pinksterz said...

that's why being famous has its toll you know.

Nikkiko said...

It's an expectation from people who just know you for what you have done to become famous, but whether or not you want to do it is still your descision.

I still remember when I read about Xiaxue complaining her email got flooded with things like demands to "defend-the-whales" causes.

Not that it's not something worth defending, but her annoyed response to it was completely hilarious.

In whatever case, I would rather do something than just donate money.

Wouldn't it be fun if I were a known blogger in Singapore and I go do some Flag Day to collect donations.

"EH! THAT'S NIKKIKO LEI! COME LET'S GO SEE WHAT SHE'S DOING THR!"

"Oh hello! I'm collection donations for blah blah blah. Help me lei :DDD"

I think it'd be definately more meaningful, and definately more fun.

PS (comment reply): I don't think, I know. ;P

Wanderer said...

hahaha
its not easy to let go of money sometimes..

sienz.. my new place no internet.. once in a blue moon get to online saja...

ah!!! so miss internet n blogging..

Johnny Ong said...

the rich man can make his own decision but staying amongst those unreasonable citizens is so hard.

Anonymous said...

In my own opinions, i think they are in a way obliged to do so because like you've said, they are influential, they are the main attentions of the medias, and they are the ones who can help motivating the people around to do good deeds.

Though, lawfully, they should have their own freedom just like any other people. But still, I think they should show good examples because there are a lot of people who look up on them.

C said...

come to think of it. it's so thoughtful of you to mention about how perfectly normal it is for the influential to oblige, because i don't see any wrong too.

i don't even see why did they report yao's "stinginess" (hey at least he did his part) while all those media crew do are to chunk gossips into headlines. not doing almost anything to help the people in the quake but to pry celebs' lives and compare and contrast? gee, it isn't really the time now. i think media these days are just...unbelievable.

3POINT8 said...

[Fireopal]
GP? Whats a GP?

[Pinksterz]
Despite that, I still want to be famous! ehehe

[Nikkiko]
OOo...another one who doesn't believe in monetary donations. High Five!

[Teddy]
relax relax. Nowadays I'm so busy with work so much so that I didn't have the chance to visit some really good blogs!

3POINT8 said...

[Johnny Ong]
Yea... Staying amongst those unreasonable citizens is so hard. NO wonder rich people like to stay up high in the mountains with their big mansion.

[Chien]
That is a very good argument. Sounds kinda sad at the same time. "Those who are at the top are doomed show good example."

[Yeong]
Yea....media and main news nowadays are *speechless*.
Thats why I rather read blogs over news. (Yea, I know this is a very bad lifesytle. I should convert back to reading news someday)

miss critical said...

I guess being famous has a price to pay... The media has really nothing else better to report..

Jez said...

arent we supposed to share our blessings? afterall, we gain and earn money because of the help of others

Trufflesaurus said...

I guess the willingness to commit to such causes ought to come sincerely from the donor(s). I see no reason to compare Yao's donation against people who donate 'half their monthly salaries'. True, his donation may be little when compared to his income, but what is the point of getting the addtional 1.5M from him if he had to give it under pressure from the public?

Honestly, I believe half of these people who make a big fuss out of it have not contributed a cent themselves. Talk about comparing.

zewt said...

well, they certainly have got more spare change compared to us...

3POINT8 said...

[Chiche Gal]
After reading your comment, somehow I feel bad for the reporters. They just have to come up with something don't they?

[J E Z]
Yes. we are suppose to share our blessing. I'm still learning how to do that properly.

[subbie]
yes! exactly the point! I was also wondering the same thing, whether those who critisized Yao did anything to help ease the misery of victims.

[zewt]
WooHoo!! zewt left a comment in my blog! This is an achievement!!!
Ahaha, yea. I guess you are right! I also like to think that they have more spare change.

Anonymous said...

swt I just know yao just donated 70,000 dollars after read through the link you have given.