comment by thenewgreen

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thenewgreen · 4833 days ago · link · · parent · post: Statistical numbing: Why millions can die and we don't care

Wed7pm, thanks for this post. I am working on something VERY pertinent to this for the organization I work for. If my idea comes to fruition, it could mean millions of dollars for well run non-profits. I'm going to reference some of the statistics given in this article. Thanks a lot.

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Wed7pm · 4832 days ago · link ·

In case you can see this update, thenewgreen, and in case it's relevant to your work : here's another Psychology Today post about the same topic, but this one focuses on emotions rather than statistics:

... these studies suggest that the collapse of compassion happens because when people see multiple victims, it is a signal that they ought to rein in their emotions. The alternative might seem too difficult. It also suggests a way that the collapse of compassion might be prevented. Anything that encourages people to accept their emotions, rather than suppressing them, might reduce the collapse.

- Keith Payne, "Why is the death of one million a statistic?" 14 March 2010 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-autopilot/201003/wh...

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thenewgreen · 4750 days ago · link ·

You've probably forgot about this post, but I promised to keep you informed. My "idea" is now in the hands of "new product development" at my organization. They are going to study whether it is a viable idea. This could take a very long time, but at least it moved up the ladder to the appropriate people.

Thanks again for your help, -TNG

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Wed7pm · 4750 days ago · link ·

That's great news. Well done, sir! I hope it all goes well. Thank you for the update.

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thenewgreen · 4832 days ago · link ·

Thanks W7, I appreciate the link. I read the post and although you are correct, it is more "emotional", it is what I need. I am attempting to sell a VERY large organization on the idea that people want to give, they just want to give to another person. -In the field I am in, this will be revolutionary (if it is adopted). That being said, I can use all the ammo I can get. This article was helpful. Thank you.

This is going to be a long process. But, as much as I am able to, I will keep you informed. Thanks again, I really appreciate it. Be well! -TNG

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Wed7pm · 4832 days ago · link ·

That sounds like important work. Best of luck with everything.

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thenewgreen · 4832 days ago · link ·

It's only important if it works :) Thanks for the well wishes.

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Wed7pm · 4832 days ago · link ·

Wow, go you! Good luck with it!

Are you going to hunt up the original studies? I think the article's author was a bit dodgy about the way he quoted the prices people would donate - didn't cite the papers, and didn't explain how many people had been surveyed.