Critique My Latest Article - "Buy Me a Beer is Internet Panhandling"

[BlogEx]

I've been working on this post for a while cause the subject has just been something that sort of sticks in my craw but I'd like some feedback on the article itself. The specific thing I'm worried about is coming off like a cold heartless bastard when it comes to people who beg in the real world. That's not my intention at all but I'm not sure whether I avoid it or not.

Anyway, here's the article, please let me know one way or the other (and any suggestions you have): Buy Me a Beer is Internet Panhandling (http://bloggingexperiment.com/archives/buy-me-a-beer-internet-panhandling.php)

Thanks!

[smittenbite]

well it annoys me too in a way, i think the 'support this website - donations are appreciated' thing is sufficient enough if you want some help maintaining the site expenses. tipping is a hot subject for me - dont even get me started on why crazy people who pay 4 dollars for a drink will give an extra 1 dollars (25% tip) to the tip jar at starbucks.

but the fact is - if you ask for money , you might just get some. so these people are wondering 'why not?' . and it obviously works to some degree or so even if its just a little.

anyways i dont think the issue of you being/appearing heartless in the article comes into it at all so i wouldnt worry about that.

-oh but i dont really agree with your point about something being worth something or worth nothing. kind of like a car wash from HS, its a 'free car wash' but they take donations. the point is - theyre asking for donations and in exchange theyll give you a car wash as a token of appreciation. this doesnt mean that the car wash is worthless - it costs time and work - which both are equal to money. if wordpress needed serious funding would you chip in - or would you just say no cause you're already using it and theres no point to help out 'after the fact' ?

[BlogEx]

anyways i dont think the issue of you being/appearing heartless in the article comes into it at all so i wouldnt worry about that.Ok, good. I was hoping it didn't but I've been known to come across a bit harsh.

-oh but i dont really agree with your point about something being worth something or worth nothing. kind of like a car wash from HS, its a 'free car wash' but they take donations. the point is - theyre asking for donations and in exchange theyll give you a car wash as a token of appreciation. this doesnt mean that the car wash is worthless - it costs time and work - which both are equal to money. if wordpress needed serious funding would you chip in - or would you just say no cause you're already using it and theres no point to help out 'after the fact' ?See to me the carwash thing falls into the category of people that really are selling something. There's an expectation of payment there. Also, it's not like these bloggers aren't going to keep blogging if no one donates money to them. That's where it's different than WordPress asking for funding or something. At least IMO.

I don't mean to suggest something is worthless if a fee isn't being paid for it. I might need to make that more clear...

It's sort of like the museums where donations are "suggested" or something like that. That crap pisses me off. If you want me to pay for it, tell me that and I'll do it. But don't go around acting like it's free and then try to make me pay for it in the end.

[shyflower]

I read your post. I didn't have a problem with it because everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. However, if you had a buy-me-a-beer banner, I wouldn't have donated.

[dojo]

I was a bit mean in my comment, I am afraid. Awesome post ;)

[pbradish]

I'll read and comment right now :)

[BlogEx]

I was a bit mean in my comment, I am afraid. Awesome post ;)
Nah, it was meant to stir controversy. So far no one has commented that I was too harsh on actual panhandlers so I guess that concern was unnecessary. Thanks for the feed back everyone!

[ses5909]

I've got to go check this one out!