Dubai: Read a very interesting concept this week, stemming from two new books, the idea of effective altruism. So, essentially, it is good to be good. But, it is better and serves a purpose if that good delivers a wider benefit with a more scientific approach.
So, while impulsive good deeds do help, in the long term philanthropy should be the result of analysis.
It might be more beneficial for you to earn a good living and provide funding to scientists, rather than actually trekking off to the Amazon in a bid to save the planet. You will help a few people, but the scientific work might end up saving thousands, including the flora, fauna and our future. If you would like to read more about this idea, look up Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and How You can Make a Difference by William MacAskill or Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World by Matthieu Ricard.
To me Community Reports are a great example of effective altruism. Each and every reporter brings forth an issue that has a wider impact. And these in turn reach the decision makers, thereby serving a long-term purpose. We’ve had several occasions, wherein the authorities took corrective action based on the reports. So, let’s keep this process of effective altruism going.
First place goes to the report, ‘Difficulty accessing pedestrian bridge in busy residential area’, by Priyanka Praseed. It was published on June 18. It spoke specifically about a malfunctioning elevator on Damascus Road in Al Qusais area of Dubai. The reader was concerned that the elderly and people with special needs would be unable to use the pedestrian bridge. The matter was raised with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), who clarified that it was only routine maintenance and the elevators restart after a brief stop. So, not exactly a problem, but because Praseed highlighted it, other readers were able to understand that all bridge elevators undergo the same process and will restart. In the future, if an elevator fails to work, they will know enough to alert the RTA in an effective manner.
Second place goes to the report, ‘Distracted driving needs to be stopped’, by Jalanthan Deivendran. It was published on June 24. This report was accompanied by a rather dramatic picture of a person attempting to drive while using two smartphones at the same time - one in each hand. His eyes were off the road, his hands were off the steering wheel and his mind on whatever task that invloved two phones. He was definitely distracted! An extremely dangerous scenario and shocking because so much is written, said and talked about safe driving in the UAE. Hopefully, this article served as an alert.
Third place goes to the report, ‘Is garbage the best donation we can offer?’, by Madiha Ahmad Riaz. It was published on June 25. June saw a lot of reader content being filed on littering and inappropriate waste disposal by people across the UAE. We also did a special in-depth report on the display of lack of civic sense by people last week. This report reiterates what has been said a countless times - don’t dump garbage in undesignated places. In this case, Riaz sent in a photograph of a donation box jammed with rubbish. How awful can it get? I would use this opportunity to tell people to be a part of our campaign #Stopandcare. Make a difference, stop littering, stop spitting, stop wasting, stop social behaviour that causes only harm. Keep reporting.
PROFILES
First: Priyanka Praseed
Published on June 18, 2015
Priyanka Praseed, a pupil studying in Dubai, raised the issue of an elevator on Damascus Road that wasn’t operational and it was thus difficult for people with disabilities to use the pedestrian bridge.
She said: “Community report is one of the best platforms to raise awareness about relevant issues amongst other people in the community and the authorities, wherever an action needs to be taken. Many reports, like the one against the wastage of food published last month, were like an eye opener to me as a reader and have helped me in being a better resident. My parents also keenly follow community reports and adapt suggestions that are useful. When my report on the bridge was published, a few of my neighbours appreciated me for it and acknowledged that even they have faced difficulty at times while walking back from the supermarket and holding heavy grocery bags. I am sure many would have felt the same.”
Praseed is interested in environmental acivities and projects involving a social cause.
Second: Jalanthan Deivendran
Published on June 24, 2015
Jalanthan Deivendran, a banker based in Dubai, wrote about the very serious issue of distracted driving.
He said: “Gulf News has offered us a good platform to raise our concerned and disappointments. It was a surprise for my friends and family to see my report in print and they were stunned with my concerns.”
Deivendran has been living in the UAE for seven years. He says he was always interested in writing journalistically, especially when he was in school, but did not get the time to pursue it.
Third: Madiha Ahmad Riaz
Published on June 25, 2015
Madiha Ahmad Riaz, a pupil based in Sharjah, raised concern over people throwing trash into charity boxes.
She said: “I would assume that everyone in the UAE either reads the newspaper or follows the news in some way. They would then get to know of issues talked about in the community reports and can act to make a change. The Views section of Gulf News gives true insight into the minds of the people. Socially relevant issues are raised and debated, which helps people form an informed opinion. Additionally, as community reports are raised by the man on the street, it helps to strike a chord with the general society at large. My classmates, teachers, friends, neighbours and relatives gave a positive response to my report and I could find a renewed respect towards the donation boxes in them. I hope that through my writing, I continue to generate awareness of pressing issues that are faced in today’s time.”
- Profiles compiled by Rabab Khan, Community Interactivity Editor
