15 December

Less than 24 hours, and the culture of the feels has kicked in with the crowdfunding. No question that he saved lives, but the precedent here is deeply problematic. For so many years we were told ‘not to take the law into our own hands’. No vigilantism. Now the message is if you do, you’ll be a hero, and as a bonus you’ll be showered with cash. The police must despair. A culture that can do nothing but feel. Emote. After the horse has bolted. Crowdfunding is charity without community. If you move people (make them feel - everything is feelings), you’ll be rewarded. It’s a DIY lottery, where those who make us feel a certain way win the prize. No thought or analysis of or action against actual problems, just wallowing in feelings and emotions. Sentimentalism. Compare it with a service culture community (Apex, Rotary, Lions that I posted about yesterday). Where social problems are worked with before they appear in a continuous and preventative way. “I belong, therefore I will help”, rather than “I am moved, therefore I might help”. The latter creates no lasting community or change. The former operates 365 days a year, as a community working upon itself.