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Username comments on Can You Give Support or Feedback for My Program to Alleviate Poverty? - Less Wrong Discussion

10 Post author: Brendon_Wong 25 June 2015 11:18PM

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Comment author: Username 27 June 2015 10:04:02PM 1 point [-]

You haven't told us a plan, all you've provided is a daydream. Explain how you plan to use the $1500 dollars and why you think it will be self-sustaining. Explain what you intend to buy, where you intend to place the goods, how you intend to get people to use the goods, how you expect expansions to be funded, how much of your own time you expect to spend, whether or not you need other volunteers for labor and how you expect to get them, and whether or not you'll need more funds later on.

You're asking for donations without being specific. I can only guess that you're either ignorant or dishonest.

Comment author: Elo 30 June 2015 01:50:50AM *  1 point [-]

Now now; he could just be distracted. (as in - has not replied yet)

Comment author: Brendon_Wong 30 June 2015 09:31:58AM *  0 points [-]

I did not throw every detail into the video and fundraiser/my post in LessWrong, that is correct... I do think I described the jist of it. I explicitly stated that funds will go towards providing computer and internet access, training given by staff, and opportunities that staff have to find. As implied, expenses will go towards computer acquisition, internet, and helping staff implement various facets of the project. I could have explained each and every detail, but it would be too long for the target audience to read. The campaign is not noticeably more vague than other related Indiegogo fundraisers I have seen.

I especially do not think dishonesty should be assumed. It's just common sense, but to try and put it in words, the effort put into the campaign and video, the numerous people involved, the fact that I'm a high school student putting my reputation on the line, the fact that we are a "verified nonprofit" shown by Indiegogo after confirming our 501(c)(3) status... It would be a very unlikely and elaborate scam, especially for the very low amount of money that this is likely to earn.

For the record, this project is operating under close scrutiny by the faculty sponsor mentioned in the video, by the nonprofit sponsor we have mentioned in the bio of Silicon Rainforest, by our adult volunteers, by our business partners, etc. If I wanted to do this as a scam, I would try to sell miraculously affordable virtual employment services, take the money, and run ;)

Comment author: ChristianKl 30 June 2015 11:37:47AM 0 points [-]

I explicitly stated that funds will go towards providing computer and internet access, training given by staff, and opportunities that staff have to find.

How much money to you think you are going to pay per computer? How many people do you think you will get working with the money that you raise?