Dr. Isis is a Catholic [insert overt trolling here]. I remember a particular homily I saw while I was in college in which the priest talked about how you know when your charitable giving is enough. The answer was that it should hurt a little bit....
If you've been around these parts, then you know that Dr. Isis likes to support causes she believes in. I though Scienceblogger Ethan Siegel's idea to cut his hair for charitable contributions was a pretty good idea and I have donated as he requested. But, I still felt like we could do better and I offered him a proposition that I knew would make us both a little uncomfortable....
So, last night I left this in his comments:
Alright, Ethan. I applaud your efforts, but I am slightly disappointed to hear people posting about stuff they are already doing. So, I will make you this proposition...
If you'll wax your chest on YouTube, PhysioProf and I will each donate $500 to the charity of your choosing. Cash money, dude.
Ethan has accepted, agreeing to have his chest waxed and post the video on YouTube in return for a $1000 donation to Kiva Loans from PhysioProf and me. I think that is a pretty ballsy thing to do. From Kiva's website:
Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.
Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.
The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need.
I've added the PayPal button back to my sidebar in case any of you would like to join me in contributing to Ethan's agony sacrifice for charity. If you decide to donate here, make sure you go tell Ethan about it in his comments section.
I still want to see that guy shave his head too. Isis is a demanding domestic and laboratory goddess.
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Comments
Hmmmm, waxing all of his chest hair is an entertaining option. Did you consider having him do a man-o-lantern a la The 40 Year Old Virgin?
Posted by: Pascale | July 20, 2009 1:13 PM
I think he should have held out for $1000 from each of you. I've seen the photo... the man has some chest hair.
Posted by: Donna B. | July 20, 2009 2:05 PM
About a decade ago I co-hosted a costumed halloween party. I successfully fooled some people by completely removing my beard (something done only twice in the 35 years since high school) and disguising my long hair under a hat (it has never been cut in that time; it doesn't get very long).
The costume winner, however, was a man I didn't really know, who shaved a large cross in his rather abundant torso hair.
Posted by: Uncle Glenny | July 20, 2009 2:12 PM
I am absolutely in favor (yea! Ethan!) of the Locks of Love challenge -- it is, itself, a worthy thing. The chest hair? I don't see the benefit.
I mean, if it's that easy to raise money I'd volunteer to shave my beard for a worthy cause. My chin hasn't seen sunshine since 1975; in the meantime I met, married, raised three kids, divorced -- and none of the people I see regularly except my mother have ever seen me without it.
I'd do it -- but I profoundly hope that people would have the sense to not go for it. It's just pointless.
Posted by: D. C. Sessions | July 20, 2009 2:23 PM
Wax? Oh you are a cruel goddess. As someone who is of the more hairy type I definitely don't like the prospect of even thinking about waxing anything.
No way, no how. Not enough money in the world.
Posted by: Tony P | July 20, 2009 4:22 PM
Haha, this should be good.
/gets popcorn
Posted by: Arikia | July 20, 2009 5:11 PM
Pointless? I think not! I just threw in $5. Totally worth it in the name of Bad Fun, er, I mean, CHARITY. Yes, charity.
Posted by: MFA Mama | July 20, 2009 5:27 PM
I respectfully disagree with the homilist's standard that giving should hurt a little bit.
There are too many people I know for whom giving very little seems to hurt very much. I know some people for whom even the thought of giving pains them! These are people who say "I feel badly for you" (or for whomever), and don't do anything. How badly do they feel? Not badly enough!
That said, I also recall the proverb that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. And I don't have a standard to replace the homilist's.
Posted by: Gingerale | July 20, 2009 11:22 PM
So did you consult with CPP before or after making the offeR?
Posted by: Lab Lemming | July 22, 2009 11:55 PM
Tsk tsk, Lemming. If I disclosed the nature of my scheming the shenanigans would be less fun for you....
Posted by: Isis the Scientist | July 22, 2009 11:58 PM