Misguided Charity

Introduction

I would guess that most people throughout the world agree that murderers, thieves and rapists (not an all-inclusive list) have a harmful effect on society. What most people do not realize, I would also guess, is that, in the most general sense, seemingly benevolent acts of charity are actually having a disastrous effect on humanity.

July 7, 2007

CNN Heroes (Ryan Hreljac)

Ryan's Well

I do not doubt Ryan Hreljac's purpose is to help, but he is missing the big picture. Providing water to the impoverished helps improve their lives, but in the absence of the proper conditions, what they will do with those improved lives is simply to procreate to the point that they will once again exceed the carrying capicity of their environment. Back to square one. Or worse, they will consume additional global resources and further accelerate the destruction of the planet. Help to the impoverished is only truly beneficial if it comes with education and regulation of lifestyle--primarily the prevention of irresponsible procreation, but also prevention of the raising of irresponsible people. If you save a child's life so that he can grow up to be an ignorant peasant, a religious zealot, a profligate consumer--then you have done the world a disservice. If you let that child die, then maybe your conscience will haunt you and will have trouble sleeping at night, but that is the socially responsible choice.