‘Disaster fatigue’ blamed for drop in giving

[Brundle_Fly]

After two major overseas tragedies, Americans are less generous

NEW YORK - The numbers are almost too large to fathom, so many stop trying. As bodies pile up in disaster after global disaster, even the most sympathetic souls can turn away.

Charities know this as "donor fatigue," but it might be more accurately described as disaster fatigue — the sense that these events are never-ending, uncontrollable and overwhelming. Experts say it is one reason Americans have contributed relatively little so far to victims of the Myanmar cyclone and China's earthquake.


Many factors may be to blame
A number of factors may be at play in the slow American response, including a lack of sympathy for the repressive governments involved, doubts about whether aid will get through, and an inclination to save pennies because of shaky economic times at home.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24712998/

[bluebellbaby]

1. I know...go ahead...pick me...I know the reason...okay...

It's not "donor fatigue"...but "the economy stupid"...I can't afford to help others when, I myself, can barely make ends meet...and oh my goodness...I make almost 3 times the poverty level...when over 20% of my wages are now going for gasoline back and forth to work...

How are we expected to help others when we can't help ourselves...?

[leftofthedial]

2. americans are fucking broke

are facing REAL 15%-plus unemployment, REAL 20%-plus inflation, plummeting net worth, possible foreclosure or bankruptcy or homelessness

we can't even fix our own fucked up city, much less some other country's fucked up cities.