Foo - Balancing Karma

As Jon pointed out in wethepeople's thread, and as you've no doubt all noticed, there's been a lot of bad karma going around these forums recently. That got me to thinking: what if we in Foo were to do something to balance this karma out? What if each of us, over the next few weeks, went out of our way to do something for someone else at least once -- to do something good just for the sake of doing good? It's not just in the spirit of the holidays, although being in a new city around Christmas, and not knowing the next time I'll see my family does make me want to feel a bit of the holiday spirit. There are an awful lot of good people out there having a rough time through no fault of their own, and it seems to me that something ought to be done -- no matter how small -- to change that.

I had thought of trying to organise some sort of Foo charity drive, but I figure aside from the logistical nightmare of getting Foo to decide on a charity, it's not fair to expect everyone to be able to, or want to, give money. I had also thought of asking people to print their good deed here, but that sort of goes against the idea of "doing good for the sake of doing good".

In the end, I'm not sure why I'm posting this. I guess it's part rant, part lament, and part expression of my conviction that we can and should do more for the people around us. Anyway, I truly do wish all of you here in Foo all the best. You deserve it!

As Jon pointed out in wethepeople's thread, and as you've no doubt all noticed, there's been a lot of bad karma going around these forums recently. That got me to thinking: what if we in Foo were to do something to balance this karma out? What if each of us, over the next few weeks, went out of our way to do something for someone else at least once -- to do something good just for the sake of doing good? It's not just in the spirit of the holidays, although being in a new city around Christmas, and not knowing the next time I'll see my family does make me want to feel a bit of the holiday spirit. There are an awful lot of good people out there having a rough time through no fault of their own, and it seems to me that something ought to be done -- no matter how small -- to change that.

I had thought of trying to organise some sort of Foo charity drive, but I figure aside from the logistical nightmare of getting Foo to decide on a charity, it's not fair to expect everyone to be able to, or want to, give money. I had also thought of asking people to print their good deed here, but that sort of goes against the idea of "doing good for the sake of doing good".

In the end, I'm not sure why I'm posting this. I guess it's part rant, part lament, and part expression of my conviction that we can and should do more for the people around us. Anyway, I truly do wish all of you here in Foo all the best. You deserve it!
Good idea and good point!

Actually, the logistics wouldn't be as hard as you think! We all have our own charities, likely, I agree! Instead, I submit the idea that we match INTENT! We each raise X amount of money for our individual charity, or X amount of nonperishable food for your local food bank.....or both!:D

We could call it the Nonspecific Organization for Fundraising Online By All Donators, or NOFOOBAD!:D

Just work toward a defined goal equivalent!

Wot?!?! All the 'secret santa' stars that were given isn't enough? Maybe the bad ***** that's happening is to balance out the good that's going around.

Just sayin, ya know. :)

That's it, Stacey -- we've been too nice! :D. If you'll excuse me, I have to go and kill some puppies now...

I like your idea, Tom, but it might be hard to quantify "donations" if they're emotional, rather than physical objects. Hmmmm...

That's it, Stacey -- we've been too nice! :D. If you'll excuse me, I have to go and kill some puppies now...

I like your idea, Tom, but it might be hard to quantify "donations" if they're emotional, rather than physical objects. Hmmmm...
No Goob, it's kittens not puppies! :D

No Goob, it's kittens not puppies! :D

Oops! My mistake :p

That's it, Stacey -- we've been too nice! :D. If you'll excuse me, I have to go and kill some puppies now...

I like your idea, Tom, but it might be hard to quantify "donations" if they're emotional, rather than physical objects. Hmmmm...
How's this:

$1=equiv amt nonperishable food=1/4 hr community service (the emotional aspect vs Physical and I know I only assigned $4.00/hr value to it. This is just a random data point for comparison purposes.).A+B+C=Z if ya know what I mean with Z = the long term results. That way, regardless of the direction, we are working toward some kind of common end.....one of service to other people with defined needs by each of our standards of need, if you will.:D

thats a tall order but I will try ;)

How's this:

$1=equiv amt nonperishable food=1/4 hr community service (the emotional aspect vs Physical and I know I only assigned $4.00/hr value to it. This is just a random data point for comparison purposes.).A+B+C=Z if ya know what I mean with Z = the long term results. That way, regardless of the direction, we are working toward some kind of common end.....one of service to other people with defined needs by each of our standards of need, if you will.:D

Gosh, that's impressive for a Sunday morning! :D

I'd make one modification: one good deed (when you really go out of your way to do something nice, not just everyday good neighbour/citizen stuff), should count as a 1/4 hr community service unit. Often, it may indeed end up taking 15 minutes, but it doesn't always take very long to do something that will leave a lasting positive effect!

Other than that, I think it works as is -- now we need to set a dollar value goal for Foo. Off the top of my head, I figure there are about 45 Foo "regulars". To get to 1000 karmic dollars would only require a donation of the equivalent of $22.22 from each of us, which can be made up of monetary and other donations, or of good deeds. That can't be too hard!

I gave a homeless guy some change last night...


Then I punched him.









Ok. I didn't really punch him.

Gosh, that's impressive for a Sunday morning! :D

I'd make one modification: one good deed (when you really go out of your way to do something nice, not just everyday good neighbour/citizen stuff), should count as a 1/4 hr community service unit. Often, it may indeed end up taking 15 minutes, but it doesn't always take very long to do something that will leave a lasting positive effect!

Other than that, I think it works as is -- now we need to set a dollar value goal for Foo. Off the top of my head, I figure there are about 45 Foo "regulars". To get to 1000 karmic dollars would only require a donation of the equivalent of $22.22 from each of us, which can be made up of monetary and other donations, or of good deeds. That can't be too hard!
That's fine, as far as I'm concerned, a good deed is a form of service to the community!:D

We usually pass out coats to the homeless that congregate in front of City Hall. We collect them from work.