(Matt's Voice)
A big part of my required reading for learning more about global poverty has been Peter Singer's "The Life You Can Save". This has been a wonderful read for me because it delves so much into the psychological research about why and how people do/don't give charitably and the research (and lack thereof in some cases) about the effectiveness of certain organizations and anti poverty strategies.
I LOVE this stuff. It is science at it's most wonderful. Facts, double blinded studies, and the difficulties of research in the field - oh my!!!
I do so love data. I am certainly swayed by emotional arguments but, especially in the last few years, I have become a more logic driven creature. I want evidence for everything. (I have also learned that in a discussion with people it is considered rude to demand that they cite their sources).
Factoid of the day... or at least this day. Did you know (and I'm prepared to cite my sources if you want...)
People tend to give MORE when told about a single child in need as opposed to several children. Even adding one extra child to the picture decreases donations. The more people in a group that needs our help the LESS likely we are to give.
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I think your plans are a further indication that you are an amazing duo and I am really looking forward to seeing how it goes. Tim and I to a large extent already live the life you are trying to achieve but deploy the extra funds differently. We think you will find frugal living liberating! I know this is a one year trial but I wonder about one glaring gap. Are you putting anything into a pension fund? It was much easier for our generation to establish a career that was accompanied by a handsome pension but that no longer is the case. It takes a lot of money to make sure that you are not part of the hungry world when you retire. The other thing that we have used a lot of money on is helping our kids get educated and established. I feel that our primary responsibility is to make sure that we and "ours" need nothing from the state.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is people like you who will raise awareness, if it ever happens, to make slow long term changes globally that will make a difference. Really looking forward to following your progress!!
Thanks for the post Bev. I don't know that we'll ever get to where you and Tim are. I just love my tech gadgets too much.
ReplyDeleteRetirement savings have certainly been something that I've been keeping in mind. Normally, in a year where I work two semesters (if that happens) I would be planning on putting some money away. This year, though, we a are taking a 10 month break from retirement planning. Perhaps this means that I'll be working an extra year or two at the end of my career. So be it I suppose. I am also lucky enough to be in a career with a very strong (in spite of the last year) pension plan which should help mediate things a bit.
First, Peter Singer's arguments about global poverty can be problematized do to his commitment particular ethical view, utilitarianism, which I have some issues with (although his global poverty stuff is better than his animal rights stuff). More about this at Christmas if you like.
ReplyDeleteSecond, the reason why I love academia: it is definitely not rude to ask someone to cite their sources.
Third, good luck. You are both better people than I.