Online Donation Trends

Once requiring a handwritten check and postage stamp, charitable donations now need just a few mouse clicks or a cell phone text to submit. The evolution of online giving allows nonprofit and aid organizations access to a vast syndicate of potential donors and enables those donors to instantly research and donate time or money to desired causes.

STRONGER VIDEO PRESENCE
The time-worn adage "A picture is worth a thousand words" stands as true today with the advent of Internet videos. These visual recordings not only capture a greater emotional element than still photographs or articles, but their content compels an elevated awareness that more readily translates to financial support. Video snippets give patrons vital information in a palatable format that can swiftly turn into mission support.

MOBILE DONATIONS
Text messaging has become much more than just a way to carry on conversation; in the context of charitable giving, it's a direct line to financial support. The swell of text donations began in earnest with groups reporting $1 million dollars of mobile funds in 2010 and grew exponentially with the onset of disaster; relief organizations responding to Hurricane Sandy and the Haiti earthquake garnered record-breaking donations via mobile devices to the combined tune of $85 million.

SOCIAL MEDIA
An active presence on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets is an essential resource tool for organizations to reach the global community. This instant interface facilitates the communication of needs, issues and events, and expands organizations' reach by enabling people to further circulate the information by sharing it with their own personal networks. Groups that hesitate to create a social media profile will likely miss out on an important channel that engages potential supporters from all walks of life.

LOOKING AHEAD
Despite the significant growth of online contributions, this particular mode of private giving constitutes a mere 2.1 percent median of most large nonprofit budgets, according to a recent "Chronicle of Philanthropy" study. Some groups, however, have reaped up to 30 percent of their total donated funds via Internet and mobile devices. Charitable organizations have their sights set on making mobile giving a much larger fundraising component -- between 10 and 20 percent -- by encouraging benefactors to enroll in monthly or quarterly direct withdrawal programs.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media
Photo credit: Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

So Far, So Good?

Humans are transfixed with the prospect of advancement; ever since Galileo's discovery of scientific proof, the world has moved at a feverish pitch down the path of progression. While most of man's inventions and discoveries have been beneficial for perpetuating the human species, contemporary society is now teetering on a dangerous precipice of possessing too much knowledge, a line that if crossed can actually threaten global survival.

Immense controversy over clon-ing has beckoned the need for greater ethical measures when messing with genetics; that living beings can be brought into existence with DNA engineering is a concept that catapults humanity far beyond the scope of acceptable behavior.

Just Because We Can...
Joseph C. Pitt's book Galileo, Human Knowledge, and the Book of Nature: Method Replaces Metaphysics illustrates how knowledge is power; to abuse that power is to overrule man's intrinsic relationship with the universe. Galileo's discovery instigated a chain of events that even the great philosopher could never conceive; as today's scientific community hovers over the edge of molecular manipulation for alleged global benefit, the entire world is looking on with a combination of fascination and horror. "In Galileo, knowledge lost its speculative character. The world became predictable, and therefore manipulable."

The option for genetic engineering takes this scenario a step further with couples using in vitro fertilization (IVF). Beyond the benefit of prenatal screening for genetic diseases such as Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 21 and 13, Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington Disease and a whole host of other problems, parents are also invited to choose other elective characteristics. When this choice is based solely upon selective breeding, the otherwise blurred line of genetic tampering suddenly comes into sharp focus. 

Invisible Monster Under the Bed
How is anyone to know the far-reaching consequences of such monumental meddling? Will there eventually be a definitive way to foretell what undesirable mutations may occur before they actually happen? Scientist VJ Ehlers, who understands the vital role science plays in human evolution, also recognizes that "while the possibilities of scientific experimentation may seem limitless, there are times when society ­-- through the governmental process -­- can and should place limits on scientific experimentation."

David Bender, whose book Biomedical Ethics provides further insight into the danger of unchecked knowledge, points out that while an initial discovery may drive species progression, the more important disclosure is what concealed consequences are inherent to such genetic trespassing. Andrew Revkin asks the question all of us want to know: "There are two durable camps out there, those who warn that humanity has overshot and is destined to crash, like Wile E. Coyote over the cliff, and those who insist that the human traits of innovation and adaptation will get us through. Who's right?"

Behind the Magic of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

As a comedy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia comes across as an extended, real-life Saturday Night Live sketch that keeps viewers in stitches over the characters' emotional duress. This paradox is precisely what has transformed the show into a tremendously satisfying piece of Americana to which audiences can readily relate. The cast reads like a Who's Who straight from the annals of human deviance:

• Dennis, the vain, superficial and socially oblivious owner of Paddy's Pub who's primary objective in life is to be the focus of attention 
• Dee, Dennis' twin whose creative, sensitive demeanor is the source of her emotional imbalance, insecurities and subsequent professional failures 
• Mac, Paddy's co-owner and child of a broken home, raised by a father who was a convicted felon and bought friendship by selling drugs to appease his absent self-esteem 
• Charlie, co-owner whose social persona and personal hygiene are equally as unpleasant from what is indicated as a combination of mental deficit and lack of father figure 
• Barbara, mother of Dennis and Dee, as well as Frank's opportunistic ex-wife 
• Frank, Dennis and Dee's manipulative yet legal father 
• The alcoholic waitress 
• Bonnie, Charlie's self-effacing mother who has terrible taste in men 
• Ryan & Liam, the incestuous siblings 
• Carmen the transsexual

The show is arguably one of the most metaphorically laden sitcoms since Archie Bunker taught America about intolerance in the irreverent All in the Family. Because these metaphors are easily identifiable to viewers as either past, present or possible events in their own lives, people are drawn to the show for its sense of true reality; while some of the storylines are more lighthearted, the majority delve deeply into the commonality of troubles, frustrations and disappointment that occur every day.


Life and Truth
Grappling with such real-life issues as gay rights, racism, abortion and myriad other hot-button topics, the program's larger meaning strives to reach audiences through humor about serious social concerns. Each episode revolves around a particular social ill whereby the human condition is openly under attack; in fact, human conflict is a primary component to the depth and breadth of these glimpses into man's flawed character. 

Television situation comedies are renowned for their ability to blend sociopolitical issues with family/relationship dynamics and pepper the whole thing with humor. A moral or life lesson is often tacked onto the end but more than anything else, sitcoms are a way to get an inside look at typical events in the lives of typical people who face the same trials and tribulations. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one such program that appeals to a variety of watchers because of its unadulterated treatment of difficult topics and the refusal to bow to the pressures of conventional programming.

Perfect Blend
A most effective aspect of the show is how the writers inject levity at points where viewers may not expect it. This capacity for blending wit with an otherwise serious moment takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster that draws upon their sense of shared commonality. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia succeeds at appealing to a wide audience who has gone through the many funny, painful, embarrassing or socially upsetting situations people endure.

An especially unique feature about this program, however, is that many difficult issues aren't neatly resolved by the end of the show. Viewers know this program is fictional yet they choose to immerse themselves into the fantasy of watching others experience pain, joy, regret and love knowing things will not always work out neat and tidy. This closeness to reality serves viewers well when they tune in to see the comedic tragedy of life as we know it. Analyzing It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia finds the human condition constantly in question: Is Man strong or weak, good or evil, redeemed or condemned, honorable or chicken-hearted? Indeed, this program represents all that is the human experience, a pertinent reason why it appeals so greatly to a limitless audience.

Gift Ideas for an Avid Tennis Player