Why are some of us selfish while others look out for each other?

McMaster's University ^ | 12 Jul 05

[Bear_Slayer]

Billions of people tuned into recent Live 8 concert broadcasts, some just for the music, others to support the altruistic cause spearheaded by former Boomtown Rat, Sir Bob Geldof. In today's rat-race climate, what makes some of us look out for each other, while others look out for themselves? . . . .

[Bear_Slayer]

Using a combination of laboratory experiments and underwater field observations in Lake Tanganyika (Zambia), Stiver and Balshine examined how the help provided to breeders varied by how related the helpers were to the breeders. "While some helpers work or care for young because they are related to the dominant breeders, we also observed that other unrelated helpers work as a kind of rent payment," says Stiver.

I found this paragraph interesting. It speaks to me that pop artists have little else to provide the world, so they pay their debts by trying to help the little guy.

In a nutshell - trying to assuage their guilty consciences

[Bear_Slayer]

Article

[Jazzman1]

shouldnt this story have come with a BARF ALERT? puhleeez!

[massgopguy]

Linda McCartney had her estate probated in Manhattan instead of England where she lived for 30 years. This enabled her husband Sir Paul to escape the British Estate Tax and save $50 million pounds sterling. This is more money than Live Aid raised for Africa.

[Bear_Slayer]

My mistake. Yes - it should have come with a barf alert.

[Bear_Slayer]

They're so kind and generous - when it comes to someone elses money.

I worked for a guy who used to tell me, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask . . . someone else."

[Redcloak]

I didn't watch the free concert. Does that make me a bad person?

[loreldan]

I find all these claims of BILLIONS of people tuning in to Live8 laughable. There's only 5-6 billion people in the world. Most of these live in third world countries and are lucky if they have a TV. I think for the "billions" claim to be true we'd have to assume that about everybody that has a TV watched this show. I know I didn't, and I don't think I was the only one.

[Bear_Slayer]

Bad? no. Wise? probably

[Mr. Jeeves]

In today's rat-race climate, what makes some of us look out for each other, while others look out for themselves?

If more people would look out for themselves, my tax bill wouldn't be so high. ;)

[Old Professer]

Warm fuzzies have their own rewards; a state of comfort is a dangerous condition.

[MitchellC]

So, who is it that's supposed to be acting selflessly here? The Tripe 8 crowd that wants governments to rob people so they can continue to prop up third world dictators, just so they can get a warm fuzzy feeling?

A better research question would be: why do some people categorize human beings into two different groups - those who know best for everybody and those who ought to have their lives planned out by others?

[Eagles Talon IV]

Isn't there a bit more then 6 degrees of seperation between us and a Lake Tanganyika fish?

[elbucko]

It all reduces down to the inescapable fact that in nature there are, in reality, only two species. The predators and the predated. Those who eat and those who are eaten. Nature in her wisdom has made the population of the predated more numerous then the predator, eating grass safer than chasing a hoofed and horned animal down for the kill.

I would put the Live 8 group in the predated species as they stand around, smoke grass and watch their own kind be predated upon by killers with no natural enemies.

[San Jacinto]

Why are some of us selfish while others look out for each other?

Or better yet -- Why do some of us totally ignore the entire silly POS idea that some goofy rockers know anything worth knowing?

An even better question--In whose pockets did the $$$$BILLION DOLLARS$$$$$$ sent by Americans for Tsunami relief end up in? Hmmmmmmmm?

[elbucko]

This enabled her husband Sir Paul to escape the British Estate Tax and save $50 million pounds sterling.

However, the "Tax Man", is the least favorite Beatles song of the Left. This contradiction does not go unnoticed by those of us approaching July 15th. ( 2nd. Quarter Tax payments are due).

[Tacis]

" Why are some of us selfish while others look out for each other? "

My experience is that many of thos in the "look out for each other" categary are really "selfish" but have learned how to cover it. Most liberals are in this third category and, when they come across a person in need, they say, "Oh, you poor man, let me see if I can find some one else to help you."

And, some of those that the lefties put in the "look oit for each other" category are merely trying to overcome their guilt over having acquired so much while deserving so little.

[Brad’s Gramma]

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[doc30]

Giving money to African charities isn't going to do much to help the plight of Africans and it does nothing to address the root causes of the continents problems. Corruption and despotic regimes are the biggest problems in Africa. Solve those problems and the man made famines will go away.

[dhs12345]

Interesting.

There are few of us that have made to where we are today without the assistance of someone else. We can't do it alone.

A list of the people whom I have benefited from.

1. My family and friends.
2. The solders who fought wars and died so that I wouldn't have to speak Russian, German, Japanese, etc.
3. The police. Who, with limited resources, put their lives on the line protect me and my family.
4. Teachers. Had some good ones and some bad ones.
5. Pastors, etc. Has had both good and bad influences on me.

And others.
It is important to recognize them.