OMG: I don't know how to say this... but it isn't a "random act of kindness" if you plan it out in advance.
Not that a planned act of kindness is a bad thing! It's a beautiful thing! But it's not 'random.' Just call it what it is... charity.
I am so glad I'm not the only one... but I also think that random acts of kindness day is stupid to begin with. Why promote it on one day, try promoting it all the time. Or better yet, focus your efforts on something a bit more meaningful than getting people to hold open a fucking door.
1a, as they say, charity is not for the sake of others. In some way, all kindness is reciprocal. Doing kind things makes us feel good about ourselves - that's why we do them.
...But that doesn't make it pointless, or bad. Just human. I'm okay with that. :)
Never said it wasn't kind. I think setting aside a day where everyone engages in different forms of charitable volunteerism is GREAT! Seriously - some of the things people used that day for were simply fantastic and heartwarming.
...but random? No, that's not random.
Yes, I know it's pedantic. But it's a distinction that matters. RANDOM acts of kindness appeals to the innate nature of people to be kind at any time. Planning it out is kind-hearted, but appeals to people's sense of charity.
It's true that many groups of students on campus planned out things to do in advanced for random act of kindness day, but the point was to brighten people's days and also to inspire them to do kind things for other people. I think the "random" part of the name simply means doing things for random people. We don't interact with strangers enough, we even shy away from making eye contact with them. I hope that this day made our campus even a bit of a friendlier place.
I think the spirit of "randomness" is that the act seems random to the recipient, i.e. they were not expecting it, and whether the giver of the act plans it out is irrelevant
I am so glad I'm not the only one... but I also think that random acts of kindness day is stupid to begin with. Why promote it on one day, try promoting it all the time.
ReplyDeleteOr better yet, focus your efforts on something a bit more meaningful than getting people to hold open a fucking door.
I just think it's kinda pointless because it's done in vain or it's done out of an [unobvious] selfishness.
Delete1a, as they say, charity is not for the sake of others. In some way, all kindness is reciprocal. Doing kind things makes us feel good about ourselves - that's why we do them.
Delete...But that doesn't make it pointless, or bad. Just human. I'm okay with that. :)
1.b - Yea you're right. Saying it was pointless was too harsh haha :D
DeleteThere were student volunteers who raked leaves on RAK Day. If that isn't kind, what is? Get a life and stop trying to rain on others' parade.
ReplyDeleteOP here.
DeleteNever said it wasn't kind. I think setting aside a day where everyone engages in different forms of charitable volunteerism is GREAT! Seriously - some of the things people used that day for were simply fantastic and heartwarming.
...but random? No, that's not random.
Yes, I know it's pedantic. But it's a distinction that matters. RANDOM acts of kindness appeals to the innate nature of people to be kind at any time. Planning it out is kind-hearted, but appeals to people's sense of charity.
Both are good. But fundamentally different.
Not gonna lie, as someone who did something for RAK day, this makes me feel kinda bad... :(
ReplyDeleteI tried to reduce the selfishness angle by making it anonymous, but I guess it still applies.
Don't feel bad! Everyone does charitable things because it makes them feel good - that doesn't demean the act itself!
DeleteIt's true that many groups of students on campus planned out things to do in advanced for random act of kindness day, but the point was to brighten people's days and also to inspire them to do kind things for other people. I think the "random" part of the name simply means doing things for random people. We don't interact with strangers enough, we even shy away from making eye contact with them. I hope that this day made our campus even a bit of a friendlier place.
ReplyDeleteI think the spirit of "randomness" is that the act seems random to the recipient, i.e. they were not expecting it, and whether the giver of the act plans it out is irrelevant
ReplyDeleteOP again. I really like the responses 4 and 5 gave. My perspective on this day has changed somewhat, thanks to the 2 of you. =)
ReplyDeleteIt's random for the recipient... that's the point.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to be random give someone a pet goat.
ReplyDeletethis is the kindest argument ive seen on this website in a long time!
ReplyDelete