The Paradox of Selfish Giving
582400
No one criticizes rich people who give away huge sums of money to charitable causes. After all, who would suggest that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett should keep their billions rather than give them away?

But there is a price to pay for free money. Everything comes with strings attached, and the huge gifts that the Gates Foundation gives can have an outsized effect on government and other programs designed to achieve the same goals. At the same time, the Gates Foundation uses its money to achieve goals that may be more important to it than to society as a whole.

This issues is complex, and it's easy to treat it too simply. Linsey McGoey has studied this issue in depth as a researcher at Oxford (ironically, supported by a grant from one of the foundations she looks critically at) and this book reflects her study rather than spouts off political opinion.

Nonetheless, much of what she says is debatable, and depends more on opinion than fact. For instance, she criticizes Monsanto in particular and genetically-modified foods in general, but the facts she gives do not convince me. She relies on a much-criticized study that said that mice who ate genetically modified food developed tumors, and that kind of study is worse than worthless.

Agree with her arguments or not, though, I think anyone can benefit from reading the book. As Nina Munk did in her book&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Idealist-Jeffrey-Sachs-and-the-Quest-to-End-Poverty/dp/B00N4EQ8AA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Idealist: Jeffrey Sachs and the Quest to End Poverty</a>, Linsey McGoey here raises the question of whether people who try to help developing countries fight poverty and disease are really doing as much good as we think they are.

Just as the poor will always be among us, so too will the rich. The gulf now between rich and poor seems staggeringly wide. Is depending on the rich to give to the poor as they see fit the best way to improve the world? That's a good question, and this book takes a helpful look at it.
2393704
Unger's book revolves around whether our moral intuitions about our conduct are acceptable, and whether they can stand up to scrutiny - the conclusion is both convincing and disturbing - they cannot be. Specifically, Unger argues that we ought to do a lot more than we do to help starving people in the third world.
Unger's method of reaching his conclusion is by challenging such commonplace opinions such as the idea that our physical proximity to someone suffering makes a difference to our obligations; and asking whether it matters that we're not the only ones placed to help, whether it matters that the problem is so big that we can only make a small difference, and so on.
Convincing arguments show that none of this matters - we can make a difference, without sacrificing anything very important, and we ought to do so. Our intuitions to the contrary are mistaken. Unger's conclusion is therefore that each of us should adopt a Utilitarian outlook, where the needs of the many may well make important demands on ourselves.
2051085
Marcel Mauss' seminal work of ethnography reviews the practice of the 'potlatch' in a number of archaic societies throughout the world. His analysis and empirical data are far reaching and highly specific, drawing on a number of the finest researchers in the field (such as Malinowski). Mauss' observations present a picture of a highly complex system of reciprocity, a social contract so important and complex that it often results in competition and often warfare between cross-existing tribes. The ideas in this book are so easily accepted and integrated into our understanding of reciprocity by now that today they seem almost unoriginal. Although Mauss' conclusion that individuals ought to be expected to work, and that absolute reciprocity or 'communism' is dangerous are problematic views, 'The Gift' remains a cornerstone in the field.
3462562
People, get rid of your culture bias! Every time you read that you're supposed to thank your possessions, translate that to thanking God for his generosity. Then ask God to bless the giver and (if you donate the item) bless the recipient. Simple. Dont turn this slim volume into finger-shaking ugliness. Just get rid of your excess and breathe.
1131206
This is a great book that explains giving, how to define a generous person, and the ways you can be generous. The book was very informative.
4526236
Daniel Kahneman got the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2002 for his work in psychology that challenged the rational model of judgment and decision making. In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman explains the two systems that drive the way we think and decide. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. System 1 jumps to conclusions, unaware of alternatives, effects and root causes of problems. System 2 is lazy, will provide substitution with simpler answers whenever possible. Most of the times these two systems take care of our survival as humans, but on decision making, gambling, etc. they're dead wrong quite often. Kahneman's book is not a standard text book to be used in college or university, but takes you along his lifetime journey of research and collaboration with fellows like Amos Tversky (Judgement Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases) and Gary Klein (Conditions for Intuitive Expertise: A Failure to Disagree).
The impact of loss aversion and overconfidence on corporate strategies, the difficulties of predicting what will make us happy in the future, the challenges of properly framing risks at work and at home, the profound effect of cognitive biases on everything from playing the stock market to planning the next vacation--each of these can be understood only by knowing how the two systems work together to shape our judgments and decisions. He proves concept like planning fallacy, the discrepancy between Econs (homo economicus, as I learned this super rational being during my years of economics study) and Humans, and what the rational agent model / utility theorem, promoted by John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern fails to support. Other minefields are Bernoulli's expected utility concept and the indifference map. You learn what the denominator neglect, mental accounts, the sunk cost fallacy and framing comprise. Thinking, Fast and Slow is accurate and actual, not only the 60's revive with renderings from Herbert Simon, but also contemporary concepts like Groupthink, and the wisdom of the crowds, best sellers like Malcolm Gladwell`s Blink and  James Collins` Good To Great are digged. Simon's definition of intuition: "The situation has provided a cue; this cue has given the expert access to information stored in memory, and the information provides the answer. Intuition is nothing more and nothing less than recognition." is right, Collins' great companies prove dead wrong, when looked at a couple of years later. Each chapter is stuffed with experiments, statistics and finished with quotes to underline the main lessons. Some examples are: "Let's decorrelate errors by obtaining separate judgements on the issue before any discussion. We will get more information from independent assessments." Conclusions from experiments like "Subjects' unwillingness to deduce the particular from the general was matched only by their willingness to infer the general from the particular." are clarifying and provoking. And, what a pity: even Kahneman's own psychology students don't apply the principles just learned in a Good Samaritan like exercise. We're human after all.
2811944
This is an incredibly eye opening book that challenges the prevalent idea that it is good enough to give to others with no understanding of what people need or want and how donations can perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
4374242
Poverty is a complex issue. It is more than simply having the rich handing over money to the poor. It is more than redistribution of wealth. More importantly, it is about empowering the poor to help themselves. Like the famous saying: "It is better to teach one how to fish and eat for a lifetime; instead of giving one a fish to eat for just a day." The overall thrust of this book is that poverty is a complex issue that require many different approaches. Far too often, charities presume that they are the superior giver and the rest of the poor have to play beggars. Every relief can help initially but is equally harmful in locking the person into a cycle of need, relief, expectation, and entitlement. When the poor refuses to help themselves, we are not solving the problem. All of the contributors write from a faith perspective that cares for what Jesus cares. This book reminds me of the importance to broaden our perspectives about the poor, about the effectiveness of our giving, and the need for us to do more. We must be creative to ensure that our money go into proper use. A hand-out is a sunk cost that do nothing more than establish dependency. Worse, it devalues human dignity and makes the poor feel like they are the lowest class of society that have to depend on the upper classes to feed them, to care for them, and to pamper them. No society can survive if everyone is on welfare. Much better to encourage entrerprising businesses, work opportunities, and a renewed sense of dignity for all.

Do not just give more money and assume we have done our duty. The gospel is much more. For all we know, giving may not be the first resort of most situations. It might even be the last resort. If you are a philanthropist, a worker of a charity, or simply one who is keen to help the poor, this book will help enlarge your understanding of how to help the poor. It is one of the most comprehensive and holistic understanding of poverty and how we can go about engaging the causes of poverty rather than to simply treat the symptoms.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book is provided to me courtesy of Zondervan Academic and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
1499590
What if...there were so many men and women in your organization's "generous givers" circle--that when you reviewed possible future board member prospects, you had ten times more qualified candidates than open spots?

What if...before your organization mailed the monthly appeal letter, hundreds and hundreds of generous givers--prompted by the Holy Spirit--sent in their checks and made online gifts BEFORE you asked for the contribution?

What if...the stories of sacrificial giving in your church were so numerous--and so life-changing--that a revival broke out even before your pastor broke out his sermon?

What if...God prompted you to use the funds you've saved for a special "this is for me" purchase...and you diverted the money to a friend in need? No fanfare. No name. No tax deduction. And...what if you realized that this act of generosity (and obedience) actually produced more joy than your original plan?

If any of these "what if's" capture your imagination, then you'll resonate with the quick-reading message of this perfect-size book. Published originally under another title, now Chris McDaniel and InterVarsity Press have included a small group guide and a "Generosity Challenge" resource.

Day 1: A 20-something receives a company car and so he tries to sell his personal vehicle. No buyers. He prays. God speaks: "What are you going to do with the money if I sell your car?" Oops! Plan B kicks in. His deal: "OK, God, if you sell my car, I'll give a sizeable portion to this [needy] family." No surprise--car sells. Anonymous cash delivered to needy family. No surprise--immense joy experienced by a young steward.

Day 13: (You gotta read this one!) In the late 1800s, a young girl in a Pennsylvania church, Hattie May Wiatt, was prompted by God to begin saving money for a larger church building. Yet she dies in her youth. Good news: the pastor took the 57 cents she had saved and inspired his congregation to multiply that into $250--and the multiplication continued so that by 1912, the church had expanded and grown to over 5,600 members.

Day 14: A graduate school student learns the power and joy of giving monthly (in six-month specific commitments) rather than writing just one check--and being done with it. The author says that igniting the generosity gift also involves faithfulness and asks, "When you think of wanting to become more faithful, what is one thing you believe God is nudging you about?"

The author notes that the contract for the rock band Van Halen required that the host venue provide a bowl of M&Ms backstage, but with every single brown M&M removed. Why? That strange request was stuck in Article 126 of the detailed contract regarding stage set-up logistics. If the band's stage crew arrived and found brown M&Ms, then they conducted a thorough safety check--because it was likely the host had not read and implemented other more critical contract requirements. So McDaniel asks on Day 5 of the 21-day journey, "Can You Be Trusted?"

So what if...instead of hassling givers, manipulating givers and shaming givers, our churches and nonprofit ministries actually INSPIRED givers and challenged their heads and hearts with Scriptures and stories--so that their check writing and online giving would be prompted by their attentive ears to the Holy Spirit's nudges?

Light the fire and share this powerful mini-book with your generous givers and those who have not yet experienced the joy of giving.
338850
Mr. Tomasello sets out with remarkable clarity that humans are by nature cooperative beings, that motivatios for such behavior are intrinsic and not externally motivated, and that humans are wired for empathy. "There is very little evidence . . . that the altruism children display is a result of acculturation, parental intervention, or any other form of socialization."
  One particular facet of cooperation is that of humans providing needed information, education, to create a common conceptual ground from which cooperative behavior can take place.
 A revealing book with some pressing implications for contemporary social policy.
301802
The book discusses people's social psychological needs for popularity, identity, and happiness.  People try to fulfill these needs through material goods.  People use material goods as a substitute for love.  Contemporary life has become, "perpetual shopping."  Materialism is no longer seen as a problem, but as the meaning of life.

The book discusses how much our identities have become intertwined with our material possessions.  Native Americans used to be buried with their possessions so that other tribe members would not become, "contaminated" with their personality.  People often believe that their material possessions contain their spirit.  People fear being robbed, not for the economic loss, but the perceived loss of their identity.  The fear is as if someone can break into your house and steal your soul.

Materialistic people are less happy and have more psychological problems than people who want what they already have.  Seeking material possessions makes you dependent on outside factors and takes away scarce resources from your intrinsic needs which leads to lower levels of satisfaction.  Job satisfaction, spirituality, community service are the best predictors of well-being, rather than money.  People use shopping as self-medication to try and treat their depression instead of fixing what's really wrong with their lives.

Why do we keep buying material possessions even though they don't make us happy?  We see material possessions as a bridge to a life we aspire to.
1489410
"The Taking Tree" is obviously a parody of "The Giving Tree" and is fairly humorous.  It does also have a not so subtle lesson about selfishness.  It is not suitable for young children, say under ten, but for older kids and adults it is a good discussion starter.

Should love really be about being used and abused by other?

How does a person manipulate someone else emotionally?

Are there consequences to bad behavior?

So with the right mindset this book, combined with "The Giving Tree" does offer an interesting take on giving.
1801964
I Like Giving was certainly not what I expected. I expected a book instructing people on the why and how of giving. I expected biblical instruction on what the Bible says about money and giving. Instead, I found a book filled with inspiring stories and examples of those who live a generous life. Rather than teach about generosity, the book profiles those who are generous. Instead of saying directly, Be generous. Give away 10% of your income. the book simply gives a multitude of examples which leave the reader thinking, I could do that.

The theme of the book is expressed in two statements.

Living generously is about giving your life to other people so that everything you dowhether it is your work, your charitable giving, or your contribution to your neighborhoodbecomes both a gift to others and rewarding for yourself. (page 25)

Two of the big barriers to living generously are the beliefs that we are owed something by the world and that, compared to others, we don't have anything to give. (page 170)

I found it odd that not one Bible verse is quoted in the book. I also found it strange that there wasn't a list of principles and suggestions of what to do or how to do it. Instead, the book is simply filled with example after example after example. You have to glean the principles through your own observation.

While I found the book to be inspiring, I have mixed feelings as to whether or not it was helpful.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
741420
The stories of generosity in this book dismantle the zero-sum game theory of having. Our day-to-day seems set up that if "you get more, then I have less." It's revolutionary to think that in giving we could actually feel rich. This book is for anyone who feels stifled by their budget, who knows their fists are tightly clenched, and who wants to break free of the dogma of scarcity.
4132608
Here is a science fiction with philosophical undertones. Is there God after all? Is it a waste of time worshiping IT when there are serious human conditions that needs to be dealt with: issues such as poverty, pollution, sickness and so on. In exploring such thought provoking questions, the writer has opened up controversial issues that have disturbed free thinkers throughout ages. At the end of the day, who do we rely upon for our lifes solutions, is the crucial paradox of our existence.

The book concludes with the protagonists notion of universal love. Life's rewards lie in transforming the lives of people in grief and distress. A noble intent indeed.
4322122
The first time I heard about this book was during one of the C-SPAN shows on book reviewS.  The final determination to read it came from the fact that book is written by Daniel Kahneman, Professor of Psychology who received a Nobel Prize in Economics in 2002.  With his colleague Amos Tvertsky they pioneered the field that is a cross between human psychology and economics.

Another advantage of this book is that one does not have to be an economist to understand the rules of economy and how our own perceptions of money influence our way of life.  For me personally, the most interesting part of the book is the connection between money and well-being.  Author writes that the easiest way to increase happiness is to control one's use of time.  One has to find time to do things they enjoy doing (especially with their partner if they have one).  The other interesting observation author mentions is that many people believe if one lives in places like California, Florida or some nice, warm exotic island, they must experience lots of happiness.  But author soberly brings up is the argument that (warm) climate is not a deciding factor in (person's) happiness.  He mentions that people living in Scandinavian countries for example, are some of the happiest people in the world - therefore climate cannot be determinant of the individual's well being.

The important reinforcement I learned from Dr. Kahneman's book is that it is costly to be risk averse for gains and risk seeking for losses.  Most people are willing to pay the highest premium to obtain a sure gain, or willing to pay a premium to avoid sure loss - not a good way to live.  Read the book to find out why.

What really opened my eyes is the chapter about the endowment effect.  I will use author's quote "he is a miser, and treats every dollar he spends as a loss" (I used to know a person like that).  With endowement effect, once people get a sense that they are going to receive something for sure (a gift, an office, inheritace, etc.) they no longer seem to be interested to negotiate or make concessions to anything or anyone else - in some cases even their love interest or a partner.  In such instance loses are great and all parties are (negatively affected).  The person going for their endowment only is doomed to loneliness and misery.  The overconfidence (in financial gain) gives the person an illusion of gain when in fact there is none - it is nothing but fatamorgana.  In another words, nothing in life is for free - it all comes at the price - personal or finacial - if one is just looking at the situation superficially instead of thinking slow, carefully evaluating the situation and making a compromise that will eventually lead to happiness to all parties involved.

This is a book I am going to hold onto for a very long time and go back for reference occasionally.  I have learned so much about it and got to understand many events in my life.  It all makes sense and finally you realize we live in a world where everyone thinks fast, relies too much on their intuition and with their reptilian minds their (thinking) system one  - superficial decision making - is in a good shape.  But if one is surrounded with people who only rely on the first impressions and superficial observations and do not bother to dig deeper, keep your ground.  At the end, you are going to protect yourself, your well-being and happiness and ultimately your own financial success.
4802857
The markets operate reflecting the wisdom of collective thought. Individuals lack the ability to know everything, even though, they believe they do. When a trend is detected in the market and interference is made to take advantage of that trend, the market will adjust to that trend and create an entirely new outcome rather than the one expected. When the market is allowed to operate freely, more freedom is created, which allows the collective thought to have many more solutions to an immediate problem. When the individuals manipulate the market and rely on additional converts to help solve the problem, the market will not agree, because all the solutions are not being presented to cause equalibrim. The perceived "smart" individuals eliminate the opposite side of equalibrium, sometimes ruthlessly, causing all perceived unfair markets to act even more unfairly. Free markets reflect those aspects that can bring about the greatest justice, even though, pain and pleasure will take place. This causes the self-interest of more people to contribute more solutions by those who feel their survival(self-interest) is better achieved. Capitalism allows charity to work. You cannot legislate it, because the self-interest of the free market allows a more equitable distribution of those things that individuals believe to be in their best interest.