Forty Hour Famine

[RedRise]

Does anybody else know about this? Practically my whole school is doing it. Basically you give up something you use a lot (food, technology, furniture) for forty hours and get people to sponsor you. The money goes to starving kids in Cambodia and Africa. I think it's a really good thing to do (changing the world, eradicating poverty, etc:rolleyes:) and all donations are welcome.:) Go to 40hourfamine.com (http://trans.worldvision.com.au/40hourfamine/)

[Muzk]

Durr. Why would they sponsor people when they could simply give away money by themselves? I'm not saying this is useless - actually I am - a revolution would be a lot better than those pseudo-charities, whereas we all know how fucked up those poor countries are, even if though pro-cappies say there are charities helping them.
(Which they are, but how are you going to get a huge country on its own feet without lots of workers?)

[Led Zeppelin]

That site is ridiculous. In the video they show people protesting and rioting, the creation of a popular movement as a result of the food crisis, and instead of asking people to support that they ask people to donate some money to prevent it from happening. They are in effect trying to put a stop to the only viable solution to the problem.

Philantropism never really stopped being reactionary, it only becomes more so as the system deteriorates further.

[Muzk]

(changing the world, eradicating poverty,

Cough. Charities don't change the world. A revolution does.

[LOLseph Stalin]

I once did something like this back when I was younger. Only ours was 30 hours without food rather than just giving up anything for 40 hours. Of course at this time I had very different views. Of course now I see the only variable solution to these problems is overthrowing Capitalism and Imperialism. Too many charities preach or use most of the money for advertising rather than helping those in need.

[Manifesto]

Whats the big deal with going 40 hours without eating? I do it at least once a week.

[RedRise]

Hey I'm not saying we shouldn't have a revolution, but if all the people are dead from hunger and the future generations can't even read and write (never mind learn anything about politics) it's going to be bloody difficult.:closedeyes::rolleyes: Che Guevara said a true revolutionary is guided by feelings of love - I realize the site is pretty crappy but let me put it like this; at the moment, a revolution still needs a lot of work but if I can't do that i'd rather save people's lives then sit around on my rear end complaining all day!:rolleyes: Like I said, you can't liberate the people if there's only a handful of half dead people to liberate. Besides, it's a good way to combat the feeling of guilt that I know I get every time I use computers at school or go out to dinner.:( I realize charity might not be the perfect answer, but hey, I'm only 12 and I can't start a riot on my own. At least it's doing something, right?

[RHIZOMES]

I remember doing this when I was like 8 lol

[RedRise]

So does anybody support this, or all we all here because we have a hidden desire to burn cars and run loose in the street?:confused::closedeyes:

[Hiero]

If you want to do it then do it. But this is part of a general liberal approach to the world.

Through such things as humanitarianism, charity, loans and aid we create this ideaological illusion of helping the world. Under this guise of liberal-humanitarianism the capitalist commit their atrocities. The millions who will receive food aid could be the millions of peasants who have been displaced in the expansion of agri-buisness. Which in say a place like Pakistan will displace thousands of peasant of fertile land for the expansion of more efficient productive forces (machinary instead of hand work for example).

The same companies that make such charity actually make the situation they are claiming to "eradicate" or "reduce". Everytime capital expands into the 3rd world it relies on the military and the state to eradicate the people who stand in the way of "development".

I mean you personally doing it isn't a big deal. But this is the sick and psychotic culture that has developed in the first world in the development of imperialism/expansion of capital into underdeveloped colonies.

At this level we need to expose this, especially if people can write in larger publications which would turn public pressure not to Bono type aid, but to anti- World Bank policies.

I can see why you want to do it, being young and born into this ideaology that most adults can't shake. However at the end of the day you are given money to one group of people to give to another group of people who are in a situation because of a system the first group of people agree with and give ideaological support for. If that makes sense.

[LOLseph Stalin]

Beside most of these organisations are Christian and only help Christians and make conversion a condition for aid.

Exactly why I hate so many charities. You're spot on. "We'll help you...but first you must convert and read our bible, infidels!" :cursing:

[Wanted Man]

What, they tell children to participate in this (judging by some of the posts here)? That's pretty sick, growing children should eat and be healthy, not starve themselves for some liberal idealism.

[Revy]

When I hear about "forty hour famine" it sounds like some kind of religious fast. How does going without something help someone else? They should just directly donate money. Give them money so they can give money ? That's just bullshit.

[danny bohy]

I dont know if this is true but ive heard from a lot of people that world vision is a christian charity. Therefore they only build missions and let children in if they convert to christianity. (prove me worng if i am). This is not right at all. I agree helping people is extremely important but do it in your own way. dont just support some charity you know nothing about.

[LeninKobaMao]

I think I might do it. Anyone else?

[RedRise]

I dont know if this is true but ive heard from a lot of people that world vision is a christian charity.

I've never heard anything like that. I mean, it could be true, but I certainly wouldn't choose to support a church charity or anything. From what I've heard they do really could things. I mean, you can't suspect all charity organizations for either trying to convert people or causing the problem in the first place. If I started a charity organization it wouldn't be because I started the problems and it certainly wouldn't be religious.
Since when did everybody suddenly lose faith in charity?:confused:


I think I might do it. Anyone else?
Glad I don't stand completely alone here.:crying: Thanks comrade.

[ChrisK]

Since when did everybody suddenly lose faith in charity?:confused:

When it turned out that its simply a way to make people feel like they're doing something to change the world, when they're really just finacing a group that gives a small portion of the donations to the actual cause.


Glad I don't stand completely alone here.:crying: Thanks comrade.

This is for both of you LeninKobaMao and Scarlowy. You guys are both at the stage when your bodies starting to grow rapidly. Please don't give up food for forty hours.

All your going to do is make your body use your muscle as an energy source for that duration. For the sake of your health don't give up food for almost two days.

[ChrisK]

So does anybody support this, or all we all here because we have a hidden desire to burn cars and run loose in the street?:confused::closedeyes:

I'm here because I have a hidden desire to be a part of a nationwide general strike, that turns into an insurrection when strike committees declare political power in America. And its good company.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

40 hours? That's just under two days. I reckon there's been times when I've been without food for about that long, although at the time I was too busy being hungry to count the hours. I'd be more impressed if they decided to live off beans and rice for a week, something I've been forced to do.

Now, I'm not opposed to charity per se - I've been helped out by charitable individuals and organisations before, and boy was I glad for it! - but what must be kept in mind is that charity and humanitarian work are temporary band-aids, not long-term solutions, not to mention the obvious fact that in an ideal world, one shouldn't have to recourse to charity in the first place.

But the fact of the matter is that we don't live in an ideal world. Fine, shout from the rooftops that soup kitchens and food aid do nothing to change the system. You would be 100% correct. But that's not the point of charity, at least as I see it, and what precisely do we gain (or hope to gain) by attacking such things?

[RedRise]

Please don't give up food for forty hours.

Hardly anybody's giving up food. I'm giving up technology, which will probably be harder for someone like me.

[ChrisK]

Hardly anybody's giving up food. I'm giving up technology, which will probably be harder for someone like me.

Well thats not so bad. Have fun!

[Kukulofori]

This is for both of you LeninKobaMao and Scarlowy. You guys are both at the stage when your bodies starting to grow rapidly. Please don't give up food for forty hours.

Oh, come on. You know how many cultures fasting has been an integral part of? I'm fasting right now.

I'm not any more in-favour of charity than anyone else in this topic but don't be so damn ignorant.

[ChrisK]

Oh, come on. You know how many cultures fasting has been an integral part of? I'm fasting right now.

I'm not any more in-favour of charity than anyone else in this topic but don't be so damn ignorant.

Your bodies adapted to it since thats how your culture is. Their's aren't, which makes their bodies freak out due to not being in its normal eating cycle.

Don't be so damn ignorant.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

40 hours without food is without a doubt uncomfortable, but if you're reasonably healthy then it would be far from life-threatening. It certainly wouldn't be anywhere as unhealthy as taking up smoking or heavy drinking.

[ChrisK]

40 hours without food is without a doubt uncomfortable, but if you're reasonably healthy then it would be far from life-threatening. It certainly wouldn't be anywhere as unhealthy as taking up smoking or heavy drinking.

No, but to a growing body its unhealthy. Not likely to cause lasting harm, but it still causes a level of damage. Ergo, I'm against them doing it. I'm also against them smoking and heavily drinking.

[Kukulofori]

Your bodies adapted to it since thats how your culture is. Their's aren't, which makes their bodies freak out due to not being in its normal eating cycle.

Don't be so damn ignorant.

I can safely say you have no idea what you're talking about considering this is my first fast ever and I'm not mutating or anything like that.

[LOLseph Stalin]

I sometimes go 40 hours without food without doing some liberal charity thing. It's really not difficult and this is coming from somebody who absolutely loves food.

[ChrisK]

I can safely say you have no idea what you're talking about considering this is my first fast ever and I'm not mutating or anything like that.

You really ought to read what I actually write. I said its not healthy, not absolutely detrimental. Your body does start to use muscle as an engergy source, which isn't good for you.

[kharacter]

but what must be kept in mind is that charity and humanitarian work are temporary band-aids, not long-term solutions

keeping that in mind, and the fact that you should be very suspicious/questioning of what charity you get yourself involved in, is enough.

[Steve_j]

No, but to a growing body its unhealthy. Not likely to cause lasting harm, but it still causes a level of damage. Ergo, I'm against them doing it. I'm also against them smoking and heavily drinking.

Um and what about the millions of children that starve each day? Maybe you should worry about them a little more.

And the revolution aint happening tomorrow so maybe a few bucks to a charity wont hurt for the time being.

[ChrisK]

Um and what about the millions of children that starve each day? Maybe you should worry about them a little more.

And the revolution aint happening tomorrow so maybe a few bucks to a charity wont hurt for the time being.

I do worry about them. What do you want me to do? Open up my massive trustfund and buy a ton of food and convoys and armed guards to keep warlords away? I would but I also really want to buy that fourth island.

[Steve_j]

You can volunteer locally to shelters, soup kitchens or join activist groups like no borders ect. Do some reasearch into some development charities, find one that you like and support them financially.

To put things into context you have a roof over you head, access to clean drinking water, generally live in a safe envorionment and i assume well fed.

A little change to people who have none of those isnt hard.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

No, but to a growing body its unhealthy. Not likely to cause lasting harm, but it still causes a level of damage. Ergo, I'm against them doing it.

The human body is more durable than you give it credit for. Most people in developed countries these days have decent fat reserves thanks to a rich diet - remember that the human body evolved in conditions of scarcity, not abundance. 40 hours without food with minimal physical activity and agreeable temperatures is nothing compared to long winter months on a restricted diet, something which doubtless our less fortunate forebears had to endure.

[ChrisK]

The human body is more durable than you give it credit for. Most people in developed countries these days have decent fat reserves thanks to a rich diet - remember that the human body evolved in conditions of scarcity, not abundance. 40 hours without food with minimal physical activity and agreeable temperatures is nothing compared to long winter months on a restricted diet, something which doubtless our less fortunate forebears had to endure.

We aren't that tough anymore. Put any person in those conditions and they'll come out alot worse than any caveman did.

Its not healthy and you shouldn't do things that aren't healthy for you. Thats all.

[Steve_j]

A nice peter singer video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrnzMpgISgo

Hmm it not the whole thing though.

[ChrisK]

You can volunteer locally to shelters, soup kitchens or join activist groups like no borders ect. Do some reasearch into some development charities, find one that you like and support them financially.

To put things into context you have a roof over you head, access to clean drinking water, generally live in a safe envorionment and i assume well fed.

A little change to people who have none of those isnt hard.

I have zero dollars to help with. I am unemployed. I can't help finacially.

To put things in context I do what I can, considering my circumstances.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

We aren't that tough anymore. Put any person in those conditions and they'll come out alot worse than any caveman did.

My point about fat reserves and rich diets still stands. In fact, so abundant and/or rich is food in developed countries nowadays that some people have too much bodyfat. A 40 hour fast could possibly do such people some good, as well as giving them an appreciation as to how damn lucky they are to live in a country where they can get fat in the first place.


Its not healthy and you shouldn't do things that aren't healthy for you. Thats all.

You've not proven that a 40 hour fast would have lasting negative health effects on a reasonably healthy person. I think you're being a worry wart.

[ChrisK]

You've not proven that a 40 hour fast would have lasting negative health effects on a reasonably healthy person. I think you're being a worry wart.

Yeah, I'll accept that critcism. But only about things like not eating, its pretty damn true.

[Steve_j]

I have zero dollars to help with. I am unemployed. I can't help finacially.

To put things in context I do what I can, considering my circumstances.

Cool, some cant help finicially, hence why i mentioned the voulenteer work. Maybe i mistook you from you first two post, i thought you were against charity.. My apologies if that is the case.

[ChrisK]

Cool, some cant help finicially, hence why i mentioned the voulenteer work. Maybe i mistook you from you first two post, i thought you were against charity.. My apologies if that is the case.

Thats okay. I think they're mostly inefficent, but I'm not against them.