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09-08-2011, 02:14 AM
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#1 | | Gangsta Chimp Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Joplin, MO - USA
Posts: 1,478
| Dare I say, "Libertarian Charity"?
Back in 2005, a weird little Internet start-up called "Kiva" began matching up "rich" people from 1st-World countries that had a few extra bucks (like, $20 - $100), with "poor" people from 3rd-World countries who needed a loan (not a handout) to start a business, improve an existing business, etc. They called it a "Micro-Loan". Let's say, some guy in Zimbabwe needs $27.50 to get a bike fixed, so he can hire his cousin to help him with his fledgling courier service, and some guy in Fresno is willing to take a chance, and loan it to him via some weird little website, at a low interest rate. This effectively bypasses all the bullshit barriers erected by charities and government bureaucrats, by connecting those in need DIRECTLY to those willing to help. There is no enforcement structure, no policing, no regulations, nothing to guarantee that you would get your $27.50 back. It was a leap of faith. Faith in human nature.
Since 2005, 99% of the total $250 million dollars worth of micro-loans have been repaid.
This animation is a graphical representation of the loan activity. Each of these animated specks of light represents an act of human caring, or gratitude. You may even get choked up a little, watching this video. I know I did. I also felt a sense of patriotic pride, watching America shed light in the darkness (yeah, yeah, lots of other places participated as well). http://vimeo.com/28413747
It's almost enough to make me stop hoping some giant asteroid will smack into this planet, and exterminate all of you evil bastages... wait, did I say that out loud? | 
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09-08-2011, 09:31 AM
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#2 | | Twinkle Toes Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: In the corner out of the grip
Posts: 20,364
| Quote:
Originally Posted by quasimod  Dare I say, "Libertarian Charity"?
Back in 2005, a weird little Internet start-up called "Kiva" began matching up "rich" people from 1st-World countries that had a few extra bucks (like, $20 - $100), with "poor" people from 3rd-World countries who needed a loan (not a handout) to start a business, improve an existing business, etc. They called it a "Micro-Loan". Let's say, some guy in Zimbabwe needs $27.50 to get a bike fixed, so he can hire his cousin to help him with his fledgling courier service, and some guy in Fresno is willing to take a chance, and loan it to him via some weird little website, at a low interest rate. This effectively bypasses all the bullshit barriers erected by charities and government bureaucrats, by connecting those in need DIRECTLY to those willing to help. There is no enforcement structure, no policing, no regulations, nothing to guarantee that you would get your $27.50 back. It was a leap of faith. Faith in human nature.
Since 2005, 99% of the total $250 million dollars worth of micro-loans have been repaid.
This animation is a graphical representation of the loan activity. Each of these animated specks of light represents an act of human caring, or gratitude. You may even get choked up a little, watching this video. I know I did. I also felt a sense of patriotic pride, watching America shed light in the darkness (yeah, yeah, lots of other places participated as well). http://vimeo.com/28413747
It's almost enough to make me stop hoping some giant asteroid will smack into this planet, and exterminate all of you evil bastages... wait, did I say that out loud? | Yup, you did. | |
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09-08-2011, 10:36 AM
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#3 | | Vapezilla Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: yonder.... going down right
Posts: 12,752
| Quote:
Originally Posted by quasimod Dare I say, "Libertarian Charity"?
Back in 2005, a weird little Internet start-up called "Kiva" began matching up "rich" people from 1st-World countries that had a few extra bucks (like, $20 - $100), with "poor" people from 3rd-World countries who needed a loan (not a handout) to start a business, improve an existing business, etc. They called it a "Micro-Loan". Let's say, some guy in Zimbabwe needs $27.50 to get a bike fixed, so he can hire his cousin to help him with his fledgling courier service, and some guy in Fresno is willing to take a chance, and loan it to him via some weird little website, at a low interest rate. This effectively bypasses all the bullshit barriers erected by charities and government bureaucrats, by connecting those in need DIRECTLY to those willing to help. There is no enforcement structure, no policing, no regulations, nothing to guarantee that you would get your $27.50 back. It was a leap of faith. Faith in human nature.
Since 2005, 99% of the total $250 million dollars worth of micro-loans have been repaid.
This animation is a graphical representation of the loan activity. Each of these animated specks of light represents an act of human caring, or gratitude. You may even get choked up a little, watching this video. I know I did. I also felt a sense of patriotic pride, watching America shed light in the darkness (yeah, yeah, lots of other places participated as well). http://vimeo.com/28413747
It's almost enough to make me stop hoping some giant asteroid will smack into this planet, and exterminate all of you evil bastages... wait, did I say that out loud? | Interesting, didn't know anything about that and amazing 99% has been repaid. Cool video... love the exploding colors  And yep, you just said that out loud  | |
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09-08-2011, 08:50 PM
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#4 | | Haloween Hater Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Shoe
Posts: 235
| Wow, that is pretty amazing, and is it sad that Zimbabweians (sp?) most likely have better credit than me?
And on some days I share similar cynical sentiments about mankind. | |
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hole wasn't from jersey...
Vapezilla's PVs...
