Ethics [Tuesday, September 10, 2013]

[sith_happened]

Today the students found themselves in the Danger Shop that had been configured to look like a busy sidewalk in the heart of a major city. "Today we're going to talk about charity," Anakin said when everyone had gathered around. "Some people donate money or time to charitable organizations. Some people give a dollar or two to people who ask for it on the street. Some people figure they've worked very hard for their money and don't owe it to anyone else. There are arguments to be made for either of them, and as I said last week, I'm not here to tell you that you're a terrible person because you don't give ten percent of what you make to the Red Cross or Bruce Wayne's orphanage charity or something.

"What I will tell you is that along this street are panhandlers you can give money to, as well as a food bank where you can either give a donation of money or of time. There's also a coffee shop if you choose not to do any of those activities. Students, feel free to ask each other about the choices you're making--I certainly will--but please don't harague each other if someone makes a choice that isn't yours."

He smiled. "When you're finished with class, I will also give you a list of charities that are across the causeway if helping fake people today inspires you to help real people throughout the next week."

Comments

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[sith_happened]

"Hi," Anakin said, sitting down. "Why did you choose here?"

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[shippedtomaine]

Emma shrugged, stirring cinnamon into her hot chocolate. "None of it's real so it didn't matter what I chose."

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[sith_happened]

"If I'd taken you to real New York, would that have changed your actions?" Anakin wondered.

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[shippedtomaine]

"Probably." At the very least, the soup kitchen would have been a chance to trade work for a meal. "But it's easy to say you'll do something charitable when it's not your money involved."

Was someone bitter about repeatedly hearing people who'd seen her as a paycheck called charitable? Maybe a little.

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[sith_happened]

Anakin smiled a little wryly. "Very true, especially if no one is going to follow up on seeing if you did what you said you would."

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[shippedtomaine]

"Pretty much," Emma agreed. "And if people want to decide what kind of person I am on if I give fake money to fake people, then they're as-... jerks."

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[sith_happened]

"You can say the other," Anakin said with a little grin. "I won't be offended."

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[shippedtomaine]

Emma eyed Anakin a moment before going with her intended "They're assholes."

She didn't mention what they could do to themselves though, that might be a bridge too far.

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[sith_happened]

"There's no point sugar-coating what they are," Anakin said. "Assholes are pretty universal."

It's hard to believe he wasn't allowed to negotiate a lot of the time, huh?

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[shippedtomaine]

Emma thought he was completely diplomatic. If she ended up causing any wars in about fifteen years time, they'd know who to thank.

"Yeah, well they're a pain to deal with."

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[sith_happened]

"Sadly, ridding the world of assholes would leave us with about 42 people still alive," Anakin said.

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[shippedtomaine]

"That many, huh?" Emma, fairy tale princesses weren't meant to be this cynical.

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[sith_happened]

Anakin snorted. "I'm being optimistic?"

Anakin was bad at being optimistic.

Re: Choose Your Adventure: Coffee Shop

[shippedtomaine]

"Maybe a bit."