Could a system like Yahoo Answers be used to help fight global poverty?

Question

I would like to hear some thoughtful responses to this idea: I suggest an internet match-maker system, with a few tips borrowed from Yahoo Answers. Yahoo Answers (along with other similar systems) has proven that there are vast numbers of people in the world who would like to help other people. There are even more vast numbers who would enjoy helping others (or at least would not mind making some small effort to help) in exchange for some sense of accomplishment and possible public recognition in a points-scoring/game type of setting. (Computer games in general demonstrate that people enjoy advancing through levels of achievement, even if the "reward" of all of this effort is just points scored in a game.)

Since I have almost used up my 1000 word limit, I will continue outlining my idea in the additional details below.

So my basic idea is this: Make the elimination of poverty into a sort of internet computer game. Here is one possible way to do it: Some organization (with an internet presence, or at least ties to an internet company) would take upon themselves (perhaps with the help of income from ad revenues – more or less like free Yahoo services) to identify poor and/or suffering people all over the world who need help. They would gather some basic info about the person and verify that the person's suffer in is real. (This could involve simply sending a team of people to some impoverished area with cameras, etc. and randomly picking people who can be helped.) This information (with the permission of the person, of course) would be uploaded to a website that would work like a combination of a match-makers service and Yahoo Answers (which I will refer to as "YA").

The story of each suffering person would play roughly the role of a question on YA. The responses of people would play the role of the "answers" in YA. Only in this case the "answers" would be tangible forms of help. In most cases this would be a small donation of money (sent to the administering organization, which would then make sure that it is delivered to the suffering person), but in some cases it could involve some other means of help, such as offering the person a place to live, or thinking up other creative ways to help.

Once the suffering person receives the help (and engages in some sort of dialogue with the answerer through the help of the administering organization), some points are awarded to the "answerer", who then advances to higher levels in the system.

Ideally, people who might otherwise spend most of their time playing games that generally have no meaning beyond the immediate enjoyment of playing might become addicted to the joy of helping others.

In his featured question, Muhammad Yunu asked "How can you help to create a poverty-free world?" Since my answer was number 3952, I don't expect that anyone will ever read it. So I basically turned my answer into this question. I would like to hear some thoughtful responses.

Reading the responses has led me to a new idea: Perhaps an on-line payment company (like PayPal) could team up with the administering organization so that monetary donations could be easily recorded. I would not expect the on-line payment system to be completely free, but the charges could be radically reduced (say, to 1/3 of the usual fee), then the difference could count as a corporate donation/tax write-off. So, for example, if the usual transaction fee is 3%, then normally a $100 contribution would make $3 profit for the bank, but in this case it would only make $1 profit, with $2 counting as a corporate donation for tax purposes. Thus the receiver would end up with $99. This is a far better percentage than most charitable organizations can achieve, and would probably be good business for the on-line payment company. I'm not sure how other creative forms of contribution would be recorded, but at least the monetary contributions could be handled by a very efficient system.

To "I'm gonna tell you": I agree to some extent. Ideally we want everyone to have a meaningful job (or at least a job of some sort) and we want everyone to be more charitable at heart (because there will always be circumstances that lead to human suffering, and people will need help). But the whole point of my suggestion is to find some way that people can indulge in some personal pleasure (like the sort of pleasure people get from Yahoo Answers or playing games) AND still end up helping people in some small way. The time and money that some people would normally spend on fun and games anyway could be channeled in some way that gives it a more socially productive twist. Perhaps my specific suggestions would not work, but maybe someone will come up with some variation on these ideas that might actually work! At least this is my hope.

Answer 1

I love your idea and let's make Yahoo a Charity place for everyone. Yahoo can do a matching fund such as I donate1 dollar then Yahoo match $2 . Yahoo can create a Charity Non -Profit and Use the money for our Poverty friends around the world. I am very very sure We can do. Yahoo will have her statement for the amount she receives and spends for poverty areas. If people see then they believe Yahoo Answer Poverty. As a result, your genius idea is working my friend, I really want to see how you look like. You are touching my heart and soul about giving to others. Thank you for making my day.

Answer 2

Yes I believe a forum like Yahoo Answers could help, but not by making a game of it, although I do think that your idea is very original and creative. I think it could help, because it gives people a chance to exchange ideas, and come up with all kinds of possible solutions to the problem. The best (as well as the most spiritually evolved) ideas I have ever come across, can be found in the Conversations with God series, by Neale Donald Walsch. I would encourage everyone who really cares about such issues, and who can keep an open mind, and think outside the box, to read all of his books, beginning with the first three. I can't imagine anything better than living in a world that is run on the principles found in those books.

Answer 3

There is not enough money in the entire world to eliminate poverty...probably not enough to eliminate it in the US, let alone in the world. Very few people in the world are really rich...most just get by. Where do you propose getting the money, resources, and such to eliminate poverty. The only real answer is to greatly GREATLY reduce the population. The Earth cannot support the present population, yet it is these very people ...poverty stricken..who are producing more children than all other sectors...children condemned to live in abject poverty. Get real. There is no cure except population control, meaning birth control. We spay and neuter animals who over produce, yet stand on soap boxes to deny others rights to have abortions... the place to start elimination of poverty is here, now...limit population and make sure it declines over the next 4 generations...China finally has a grip on population..the rest of the world needs to take a serious look at what they are doing. IT is working !! And as much as this will offend others, truth hurts.

Answer 4

Fighting international warming will combat poverty. Human populace is so out of manipulate and as extra assets have been pumped in to aid the deficient there may be environmental degradation. We didn't instruct the deficient find out how to control the assets and the matters become polluting the rivers, air and land. Also, MNCs mounted factories that makes use of baby labour to make their garments, footwear and different merchandise that is think to be an strive to spice up economic system and alleviate poverty seems to be wholly vain. Many corporations effortlessly rip them off and pay them as low as couple of pennies in step with hour even as the workplace employees and executives preserve all their cash. Sometimes you do not know why those humans must be so wealthy to preserve everybody deficient after which do charity to exhibit their kindness.

Answer 5

Some poverty is a state of mind.But for those that are hungry those that have, need to give.Education,job training to the underemployed,from some of the big company's would generate a helping hand.Some of the big building and supply stores could be more generous with building materials,contractors could donate time,loan companies could offer low interest to low income families.Grocery chains could invite the poor in just after closing to give soon to be expired food away.I have seen what is thrown in dumpsters its a sin.

Answer 6

This is much to verbose!! I would suggest a simplification of this intention of yours: By selling all that you have, car, home, boat furnishings, business and whatever else you own. Then give all the money you have to the poor, preferably through a system like Yahoo Answers. Thank You

Answer 7

How about a point donation system? Companies (Yahoo especially, of course!) will pledge a certain amount of money for amounts of points we earn that we donate. It shouldn't be too hard to change some of the code to facilitate that, and people can opt out if they like.

Answer 8

Yahoo Answers is a global matter meaning it could influence lives globally. When used to fight against global poverty it could affect a vast masses of people suffering from poverty.

Answer 9

ok by starting i say it depends on the people.For example like Afrika there are many people who don't know how to write or even who haven't seen a computer in their life.
so like these people they need educcation first who wil grant it? that's the problem.
then for the people who are educated you need to utilise you education,what i mean is that you need not to thinnk of your selves only .you know why you were given that education?it is for you to help those people who didn't have a chance to see development.so you should put God first if you want to archive such a goal.
i think my words will make some contribution.

Answer 10

Poverty ends, when people start working.

Honestly, people's good intentions will not feed the starving. Those who say they want to help, mean "I'd like to help if I could, but I have a lot of my own selfish desires to fill before that".