General Cycling Discussion - He rides for autism

Didn't know where else to place this found it in the paper today.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20120424/HEALTH/304240024/In-name-autism-he-rides

I hate to be a hater on this, but I am awfully sick of people biking and running and generally having a good time in order to somehow stop cancer, autism, global warming, bad breath, or whatever. It's not a cost effective way to raise money for a cause. In fact, he could have just kept his job, cut his expenses and donated the rest of his salary to the cause. Riding a bike cross country is so yawn inducing, that I have a hard time imagining any news outlets that will pick up his story and help him spread the word. Lots of people do it for fun, so what's the big deal?

I hate to be a hater on this, but I am awfully sick of people biking and running and generally having a good time in order to somehow stop cancer, autism, global warming, bad breath, or whatever. It's not a cost effective way to raise money for a cause. In fact, he could have just kept his job, cut his expenses and donated the rest of his salary to the cause. Riding a bike cross country is so yawn inducing, that I have a hard time imagining any news outlets that will pick up his story and help him spread the word. Lots of people do it for fun, so what's the big deal?

I alwasy thought it was illogical myself, however I think the theory goes something like this:
even though its fun activity and has nothing to do directly with the given 'cause'; overweight people with money see the person doing it and think he must be superman or something since they personally are not capable of such physical activity. They think he's tourturing himself for the sake of the 'cause' and feel they should help out, thus donating money.

Mundane fun for you and me; awe inspiring for the people donating. Wierd but true.