Sometimes I do semi-politically active things. Like write letters to people at Ethos Water. It's curiously satisfying, even though they never wrote me back (I wrote them almost a month ago).
Hi,
I purchased a bottle of your ethos water today. I admit, the "save the world" message is an effective advertising campaign. But I have a hard time believing that it's more than an advertising campaign. Sure, you will donate a nickel for every bottle of water purchased to help people who need it. But I'm not paying just 5 cents more than I would be otherwise, am I? Somehow I doubt that this water is really so expensive. If you're so determined to raise 10 million dollars, why not 10 cents per bottle? Why not 20? Furthermore, if you're so committed to helping people in need, why not give me an opportunity to donate money directly to the cause itself? I'd be happy to put my change, for instance, towards the cause. It's not much, sure, but it's more than the 5 cents you'd get from my buying the water. I'll bet you get plenty of donations if you just put some kind of container by the cash register or allow people to donate through the website. Instead, it's set up such that I can only donate money to the cause by purchasing the product, ie, by helping Starbucks, or Whole Foods, or you, make a profit. I don't have that much money myself - I can't afford to buy a case of bottled water, just to donate $1.20 towards a good cause. And it's rather infuriating that I have to buy a case of water that I don't need just to help some people get water that they do need - I'd much rather give them the water. If you could set up a way for me to do that, it'd be wonderful.
I salute you for working towards a good cause. But if you're genuinely committed to helping people who need clean water, it seems like there are much better ways to do it. But maybe I'm failing to understand something here. If you can explain to me why this really is the best way to go about bringing fresh water to people in the world who need it, I assure you, I will become a devoted customer. Because from where I'm standing, it seems like you're only seizing on this "save the world" message because it makes for an effective advertising campaign. Of course, 5 cents is better than nothing, so even if your motives are disingenuous, you're still doing some good for others. But you know, I can't help but feel a bit cheated.
Best,
_______
I suppose this illustrates that on some level, I actually believe in capitalism, in the same way that the mother in Goodbye, Lenin! believed in Communism, and thus wrote letters whenever something was going wrong, because she honestly thought someone would care, and want to fix it. It's curious, because this Marxism and Modern Thought class has really been warping my mind lately. But all the same, I can't seem to shake myself of the belief that whatever it is you do, you ought to do it well. And if you see ways in which you can improve, you ought to try, even if it's hard work.
Hey man, I'm just trying to make the world a better place.
Hi,
I purchased a bottle of your ethos water today. I admit, the "save the world" message is an effective advertising campaign. But I have a hard time believing that it's more than an advertising campaign. Sure, you will donate a nickel for every bottle of water purchased to help people who need it. But I'm not paying just 5 cents more than I would be otherwise, am I? Somehow I doubt that this water is really so expensive. If you're so determined to raise 10 million dollars, why not 10 cents per bottle? Why not 20? Furthermore, if you're so committed to helping people in need, why not give me an opportunity to donate money directly to the cause itself? I'd be happy to put my change, for instance, towards the cause. It's not much, sure, but it's more than the 5 cents you'd get from my buying the water. I'll bet you get plenty of donations if you just put some kind of container by the cash register or allow people to donate through the website. Instead, it's set up such that I can only donate money to the cause by purchasing the product, ie, by helping Starbucks, or Whole Foods, or you, make a profit. I don't have that much money myself - I can't afford to buy a case of bottled water, just to donate $1.20 towards a good cause. And it's rather infuriating that I have to buy a case of water that I don't need just to help some people get water that they do need - I'd much rather give them the water. If you could set up a way for me to do that, it'd be wonderful.
I salute you for working towards a good cause. But if you're genuinely committed to helping people who need clean water, it seems like there are much better ways to do it. But maybe I'm failing to understand something here. If you can explain to me why this really is the best way to go about bringing fresh water to people in the world who need it, I assure you, I will become a devoted customer. Because from where I'm standing, it seems like you're only seizing on this "save the world" message because it makes for an effective advertising campaign. Of course, 5 cents is better than nothing, so even if your motives are disingenuous, you're still doing some good for others. But you know, I can't help but feel a bit cheated.
Best,
_______
I suppose this illustrates that on some level, I actually believe in capitalism, in the same way that the mother in Goodbye, Lenin! believed in Communism, and thus wrote letters whenever something was going wrong, because she honestly thought someone would care, and want to fix it. It's curious, because this Marxism and Modern Thought class has really been warping my mind lately. But all the same, I can't seem to shake myself of the belief that whatever it is you do, you ought to do it well. And if you see ways in which you can improve, you ought to try, even if it's hard work.
Hey man, I'm just trying to make the world a better place.
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It makes me want to buy a harmonium.