Re: [ClifHuckstable] Jumping for disabled children - how to help
As a previous unofficial record holder for most jumps in a day (24 on 4th July 1999 off 57m span - this was for the hell of it and for Ed Trick's B'day) and a person who has given a lot of time for charities, I hope that Miles breaks the record and that he raises as much money as possible for his chosen charity. It is good to see the performance bar raised in this sport. The fact that Guinness are going to recognise the record gives more validity to the sport in the eyes of the public (not that the sport needs it as we jumpers know it is very valid and WILL NOT go away).
Hence, all the very best of luck Miles. Hope you break it, and I hope that someone else challenges you soon after. If people don't like Miles, just send some money directly to his chosen charity anyway.
I would also like to make a comment about charities and the psychology of giving in contemporary society.
In decades gone by, most people would give their arm and leg for those less privileged than themselves and they would do that unconditionally. Unfortunately, society has changed somewhat from a place with a social conscience where most people cared for others to a cynical, materialistic, litigious, inattentive, and inwardly focused society. Giving is more about what can I get out of it (tax concessions, publicity, contacts, etc).
Also, greed has meant that some "so called" charities are riddled with corruption or expensive administrations that erode the majority of donations. I think this is reality - but we still have many organisations that do a wonderful service for those that are less priveliged. Many individuals have subsequently taken the stance that since not all of their donation gets to the intended recipients, or that those that organise derive benefits, then they should not give.
Whilst I accept that people are entitled to their own opinions and they have every right to control their finances and time in the way they see fit, not giving anything for the above reasons is a poor & selfish "cop-out". For many people it is a way of overcoming the personal guilt of not contributing by blaming others for their corruption and/or inefficiency in controlling charitable giving.
My personal opinion is that if 10% of the money I give goes to the intended recipient, then I have done the right thing. Yes, I will have the proverbial shits, but at least something has been achieved. If someone goes through the effort of organising a charitable event and money is raised and directed to the intended recipients, then they deserve the publicity / pat on the back. A lot of hard work goes into event organisation.
I also think the persons who sit lowest on the tree of morals when it comes to charity, are the ones that openly criticise others and then do NOTHING themselves. They should perhaps consider directing their energies to something a little more productive. The people that sit highest are the ones that give unconditionally - no tax concession, no publicity, no pats on the back, no expectations that their God will put them in front of the queue at the pearly gates of heaven. They are even higher if they have nothing to give in the first place.
r.e. Miles Daisher - as I said, GOOD LUCK TO HIM. I hope he does well. He could have done this record attempt without involving a charity in the first place. So I think it was good of him to derive some benefit for both himself AND handicapped children. You also have to remember that the more successful a person is (i.e. Miles), the greater his/her ability to contribute to those less in need. I hope he becomes a millionaire and that he gives 10% to charity, rather than being a nobody who donates nothing. Why do you think Billy Gates and the like become philanphropists? Because it is a symbiotic relationship that derives mutual benefit.
Why do people object to or dislike Miles? There is something you need to understand about human psychology. To use a cliche - "statistical norm" - on average, people are average!!!! How is that for over stating the obvious!!!!! Those people that exist outside the norm attract attention from the masses. This attention will either have a positive, neutral, or negative slant. The individual who exists outside the statistical norm has the greatest influence on how the public (the members of society that make up the statistical norms)perceives them. I know very little about Miles. But what I do know is that he has challenged the social and political structure of some segments of the BASE community. Hence the response.
Do you remember John McEnroe - former great USA tennis player? People either loved or hated him. He was loud, obnoxious, but talented and entertaining.
Miles seems loud, and extroverted too. He seems very much "in your face", he also does things in an inconventional manner. Most people feel threatened by change or challenges to the status quo. When you couple that with the fact that publicity is one of Miles' objectives in a sport where most people are opposed to media attention (where most publicity is derived), you should expect not much other than annoyed people. When you throw in the charity factor and some of the points that I mentioned above, then in my mind there is no surprise that people are offended or object to Miles' record attempt project. I am not saying this is right or wrong, it is in my mind just that way it is. As I said, I hope he does well.
If it had of been Nick D, or Anne H, or Marta, or Martin T etc, I am sure that the response would have been different purely because of the perception that BASE society has on those individuals. Miles needs to appreciate that perceptions are rightly or wrongly created because of the actions of the individual in question.
The perception of you or I has been initiated by your/my thoughts and actions and then how they interact with the social rules and culture of the society in which we live in. We are each resonsible to some extent on how people perceive us. Think about why politicians and movie stars have publicists helping them in this field.
Remember, giving to others in need is the greatest gift of all.
p.s. It seems there are a number of BASEr's supporting this event anyway. Good on you all.
p.s. my experience in volunteering and charities includes - youth groups, emergency services, Amnesty, Safety Officer of BASE organisation, coaching in various sports, religious groups, etc. I have directly dealt with handicapped people, financially crippled people, cancer patients (close friends and relatives), etc. I am also fully committed to charity in other parts of the world.
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