Connect with us

World

‘Kindness’ Influencers On TikTok Give Money To Strangers. Why Is That Controversial?

Published

2 months ago

on

Why Buying TikTok Views is the Best Way to Maximize Followers

Every Christmas growing up in Minnesota, Jimmy Dart’s parents gave him $200 in cash: $100 for himself and $100 for a stranger. With over 12 million TikTok followers and several million more on other platforms, philanthropy has become his full-time profession.

Darts, whose real surname is Kellogg, is one of the most prolific providers of “kindness content,” a type of social media film dedicated to assisting strangers in need, frequently with funds raised through GoFundMe and other crowdfunding platforms. An increasing number of creators, including Kellogg, give out thousands of dollars – often more – on video while encouraging their massive followings to donate.

“The internet is a pretty crazy, pretty nasty place, but there’s still good things happening on there,” Kellogg told The Associated Press.

However, not everyone appreciates these videos, with some viewers describing them as theatrical at best and exploitative at worst.

Critics believe that it is inappropriate to record a stranger, often inadvertently, and share a video of them online to earn social media clout. Beyond clout, content providers can profit from the views they receive on particular videos. Kellogg and his contemporaries frequently earn enough money to work full-time as content creators when their views reach millions of people.

‘Kindness’ Influencers On TikTok Give Money To Strangers. Why Is That Controversial?

As one of the most prominent critics of “kindness content,” comedian Brad Podray, sometimes known online as “Scumbag Dad,” crafts parodies to illustrate the flaws he sees in this content — and its proponents.

“Many young people have a highly utilitarian worldview. “They only think of things in measurable terms: ‘It doesn’t matter what he did, he helped a million people,'” Podray remarked.

Recording procedures raise ethical concerns.
From the recording gear and procedures to the subject selection, “kindness content” exists on a continuum, just like everything else on social media.

Some creators approach others and ask for guidance or a favor; if they bite, they get a prize. Others opt to praise strangers who do a good deed. Kellogg completes a “kindness challenge,” asking a stranger for something and repaying it in like.

Many of these strangers are unaware that they are being filmed. Some producers use hidden cameras to discreetly record subjects. Kellogg stated that he wants to be as “secret about it as possible,” but requests permission to share the video following the interaction. Kellogg stated that most people agree since they look “like a superhero” after completing his challenge.

Josh Liljenquist, another humanitarian content artist, said he uses a GoPro camera and attempts to make a recording “extremely noticeable,” adding, “Consent’s the biggest thing.”

Regardless of the recording method, some people view the practice as predatory.

“These guys always find someone with cancer or always find someone who can’t pay their bills because they’re stalking through underserved and poor areas and they’re just sort of waiting,” according to Podray. “Looking through the parking lot like, ‘He looks pathetic enough’.”

Karen Hoekstra, marketing and communications manager at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, investigates TikTok-based influencer philanthropy and believes the films sometimes exploit their subjects.

“The model of the man on the street walking up and approaching a stranger and handing them money is — we’ve all heard this phrase, terrible as it is — it just strikes me as poverty porn,” Hoekstra told CNN. “It’s exploitation.”

Calls for exploitation are common when filmmakers feature the same persons in repeated videos, particularly if they look to be homeless or addicted to drugs. Liljenquist routinely features certain persons and describes them as his “best friends.”

One user commented on an Oct. 5 video that Liljenquist’s latest content appears to be “playing case worker for views,” as he aired multiple films of a woman who followers believe is battling with drug addiction. He tapes himself bringing her meals, driving her around in his Tesla, and asking her questions, frequently resulting in one-word responses.

Liljenquist stated that criticism does not disturb him because he knows his intentions are good.

“I love these people,” he said. “They love me.”

Absence of checks and balances
Some criticize the showmanship of “kindness content,” yet visibility is critical for the concept, which is primarily reliant on crowdsourcing. Kellogg is notorious for starting GoFundMe fundraising for his video subjects, which typically generate tens of thousands of dollars in viewer donations.

Kellogg, Liljenquist, and many more producers accept donations through their accounts on payment applications such as Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal.

Tory Martin, the Johnson Center’s director of communications and strategic partnerships, stated that transparency regarding donations is “not an option if it’s just going to an individual.”

Although these producers are not subject to the same standards and regulations as NGOs, Liljenquist believes donor monies travel far further in his hands than in traditional organizations, which he describes as “designed for failure.”

“Nonprofits — not all of them, there are some good ones — but I would just suggest you do your homework on the nonprofits that you are giving money to because there’s a good amount of them who take advantage of the system,” stated the governor.

Some inventors have established nonprofit organizations or foundations to fund their work, but this is not a common practice.

‘Kindness’ Influencers On TikTok Give Money To Strangers. Why Is That Controversial?

Podray stated that he is “100% sure” that certain creators “take a rake or that there’s some sort of nonsense going on.” He also claims some creators provide bogus money to capitalize on the craze.

Kellogg said witnessing fake or exploitative videos is difficult for him, and he worries, “My gosh, every Facebook mom just fell for this and thinks it’s real.”

New Wave of Philanthropy
While these films have sparked criticism in some online circles, they are part of a massively popular social media trend that has millions of admirers and thousands who feel motivated to donate after watching.

Although Hoekstra is concerned about certain producers’ techniques, she believes the exposure to charity giving these movies provides for young people is beneficial.

“Anything that can present philanthropy to them in a new way and make it accessible and make it exciting I think is a good thing,” according to her. “Obviously, there’s going to be a learning curve, but I think it’s really exciting to see philanthropy be so accessible and understandable and embraced in these new spaces and in new ways.”

Some skeptics have turned into supporters. Kyle Benavidez said he used to believe “kindness content” on social media was false. However, after his mother was featured in one of Kellogg’s latest videos and a GoFundMe Kellogg set up for her to earn over $95,000 to help their family while her husband was in the hospital with cancer, he stated that Kellogg’s online persona is genuine to his real-life personality.

“There’s a chapel in the hospital, and I go there every morning to pray.” ‘I hope something happens.’ “And then Jimmy came into our lives,” Benavidez, 20, explained. “It’s like God sent him.”

Kellogg shows no signs of slowing off his charity work, posting videos on his social media accounts practically daily. Still, he believes that doing good on camera is only important if he and his peers continue to do it when the cameras are not rolling.

“You can fool people all day and you can make money and do this and that, but God sees your heart,” according to him.

SOURCE | AP

Related Topics:

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics.

Continue Reading

World

The Goal Of Donald Trump’s Transition Team Is To Withdraw The US From WHO “On Day One.”

Published

4 days ago

on

2024-12-22

By

Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

(VOR News) – The transition team led by Donald Trump is reportedly planning to remove the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the first day of the next government, according to experts.

This would have a “catastrophic” impact on people’s health all throughout the world, these experts warn.

On January 20, the day the president-elect becomes office, these individuals want to announce their desire to depart the global health agency, Donald Trump’s team members informed analysts.

If the World Health Organization were to depart, it would lose its most significant source of funding, which would hinder its ability to respond to public health emergencies such as the Coronavirus pandemic.

Donald Trump’s leadership and funding for global health are noteworthy.

The United States of America is most likely to leave a significant void. According to Georgetown Law professor of global health Lawrence Gostin, “I see no one that is going to fill the breach.” He went on to say that the withdrawal “on day one” will have “catastrophic” effects on people’s health all around the world.

Trump’s nomination of several allies, including vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy, for important health positions in the incoming government has led to a disagreement over US relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). Nevertheless, Gostin expressed doubt that Donald Trump would prioritize a prompt withdrawal as much as some of his colleagues.

The United States of America was the largest single donor to the World Health Organization (WHO), accounting for almost 16 percent of its funding in fiscal years 2022–2023.

In 2020, President Donald Trump began the process of disbanding the World Health Organization (WHO) after accusing it of being under Chinese control.

However, the process has never been completed, and his vice presidential replacement, Joe Biden, resumed relations with the agency on the first day of his administration in 2021.

Experts have seen that after initiating the process immediately, some Donald Trump administration officials are keen to proceed much more quickly this time.

Ashish Jha, a former White House Covid response coordinator for Biden and the director of Brown University’s school of public health, stated that the transition team wanted Donald Trump to withdraw on the first day because to the “symbolism” of reversing Biden’s own inauguration-day decision.

He remarked, “Many individuals within the administration’s inner circle lack trust in the WHO and wish to symbolically demonstrate their disassociation from it on the first day.”

“If you do not actively participate in these Donald Trump institutions.

You will not be able to respond quickly when the next outbreak happens,” he stated. Gostin predicted “very lean years for the WHO,” which would mean the organization would have to substantially cut back on its scientific workforce and struggle to respond to health emergencies.

If the United States withdrew, he said, European countries would likely not increase their contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO), and China might try to strengthen its influence. He claimed that since leaving would give China more authority, it would not be a smart move.

Questions concerning the possible withdrawal were not immediately answered by the Donald Trump transition team. “Is this the same WHO we left in place for the initial administration?” a person familiar with the arrangements told the Financial Times. Right now, we don’t appear to care all that much about what they have to say.

There was no response from the World Health Organization. The group’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called it a “unique organization” earlier this month and said it aimed to collaborate with U.S. officials.

He continued, “From our end, we are prepared to collaborate with one another.” “I believe that the leaders of the United States of America are aware of the fact that the United States cannot be safe unless the rest of the world is safe.

SOURCE: FT

SEE ALSO:

The IRS Will Give a Million People Up To $1,400. Their Identity—And Why Now?

King Charles Could Millions Annually from Renting His Properties

Continue Reading

World

Do Microplastics in the Atmosphere Endanger Your Fertility?

Published

1 week ago

on

2024-12-18

By

Microplastic
HealthDay

(VOR News) – It is quite possible that the presence of small microplastic particles in the air may be a contributing factor to a wide variety of health problems, including malignancies of the lungs and colon.

This is something that needs additional research to be determined. There is one more item to take into consideration, and that is the potential that this is the exact circumstance.

A recent study found that tires and debris that are decomposing shed minute fragments of plastic that go airborne, so creating a form of air pollution that is not particularly widely known. This type of pollution is caused by the degradation of plastic. An example of this type of pollution is that which is discharged into the atmosphere.

The industry refers to microplastic as “air pollution.”

According to the findings of a researcher named Tracey Woodruff, who is a professor of obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, “These microplastics are basically particulate matter from air pollution,” and it is common knowledge that this particular type of air pollution is particularly hazardous.

The researchers who supplied background notes stated that the size of microplastics is less than 5 millimetres, which is smaller than a grain of rice.

This information was provided, according to researchers. These details were supplied by the researchers who conducted the study. These particulars were provided by researchers who were responsible for carrying out the study.

The amount of plastic that is created on a yearly basis by enterprises all over the world is roughly 460 million tonnes, as indicated by the data that were provided by academics all over the world. The forecasts indicate that by the year 2050, this quantity is anticipated to have increased to 1.1 billion tonnes.

Driving is a substantial contributor to the amount of plastic that is floating around in the atmosphere, according to the conclusions of the experts who conducted the study about the phenomenon. When tires are worn down to the point where they scrape against the surface of the road, they allow microplastics to be released into the environment.

As a result of the tires wearing down, this occurs. This impact is brought about as a consequence of the inevitable amount of wear and tear that tires are subjected to.

A study that was published on December 18 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology was the result of researchers conducting an examination of data collected from over 3,000 previous investigations.

The paper was published as a consequence of this procedure. The review was constructed with the help of this analysis that was carried out.

Microplastic used this analysis to put together the review.

A number of diseases, such as cancer, lung problems, and infertility, may be influenced by the presence of microplastics in the air, according to the data, which led to the conclusion that this may be the case.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of the studies that were incorporated into the study were carried out on animals, the researchers claimed that it is very certainly plausible that the findings can also be applied to people. The fact that the majority of investigations were conducted on animals does not change the reality that this is the case.

“We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms from microplastics, including colon and lung cancer,” stated Nicholas Chartres, the principal investigator and senior research fellow at the University of Sydney.

The organisation reported this comment. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) issued a press release on behalf of the organisation that contained this statement. The news release was disseminated to the public. We are convinced that state officials will act quickly to make sure that no leaks of this kind occur, which is of the highest importance.

SOURCE: USN

SEE ALSO:

Justin Trudeau’s Fight for Gender Equity in Canada

Liberal MPs Call on Trudeau to Resign

Continue Reading

World

Russian Oil Ships In The Kerch Strait Are Undergoing Rescue Operations.

Published

2 weeks ago

on

2024-12-15

By

Russian
AP

(VOR News) – Following Sunday’s powerful storm, a Russian oil tanker carrying hundreds of tonnes of oil products ultimately broke apart, causing an oil spill into the Kerch Strait below. Additionally, Russian officials reported that the damage was causing problems for another vessel.

Sunday, Russian authorities announced an emergency rescue operation.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, which claimed the Emergency Situations Ministry as its source, the Volgoneft-212 tanker, carrying fuel oil and carrying thirteen crew members, ran aground and suffered damage to its bow. A shipment of fuel oil was being transported by the tanker.

Authorities have told the public that the damage was brought on by the extreme weather conditions that are currently occurring.

A second tanker, the Volgoneft-239, was damaged during the storm and is currently stranded in the same area with 14 crew members on board, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The tanker was discovered abandoned and alone in the same spot.

Additional tankers also suffered damage. The 132-meter-long cruiser, which was constructed in 1973, hangs the Russian flag around its neck.

The footage posted by state media showed the 136-meter Volgoneft-212 tanker, which was cut in two with its bow underwater, and waves crashing over its deck. At least one person lost his life as a result of this tragedy. This led to the opening of two distinct criminal investigations by the Russian authorities to look into potential violations of certain safety regulations.

Having flown the Russian flag since 1969, the yacht was finished.

Rosmorrechflot, the Russian government agency in charge of water transportation, reported a petroleum product spill.

It is believed that the cargo capacity of each tanker is around 4,200 tonnes of oil products.

The magnitude of the leak and the cause of the substantial damage one of the tankers received were not specified in the official remarks. This is in accordance with the official remarks.

Several news sites cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that President Vladimir Putin directed the formation of a working committee to handle the rescue effort and lessen the effects of the oil disaster.

Peskov recommended that the government appoint the working committee’s members. This comment was made public right after Putin met with the ministries responsible for ecology and disaster management.

The Russian government has said that it will be sending more than fifty individuals and pieces of equipment to the area in response to the current crisis. Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats are examples of these people and tools.

The news that experts are presently investigating the damage at the event site was announced by Svetlana Radionova, who is in charge of Rosprirodnadzor, Russia’s natural resources regulating entity.

Kommersant reports that Volgoneft-212 used 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil.

The footage, which showed a partially submerged ship and murky water on rough seas, was posted to Telegram without the owner’s consent.

The warships were located in the Kerch Strait, which separates Crimea from the Russian mainland, when the distress signals were sent out.

The Kerch Strait is a crucial international marine passage that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, allowing for easier traffic between the two bodies of water. It also acts as a border between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, which is under Russian occupation. The Kerch Strait is located in the centre of the two nations.

The peninsula has remained a major source of contention between the two national governments ever since Russia annexed it from Ukraine in 2014. Russia was the one who seized the peninsula. Ukraine brought legal action against Russia before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.

Specifically, the lawsuit claimed that Russia intended to illegally take over a location. The argument was supported by evidence pertaining to Russia’s conduct in the region. In 2021, the Russian Federation closed the strait for several consecutive months

SOURCE: VN

SEE ALSO:

Indian Students Studying in Canada Fret Over Visa Scrutiny

Trudeau Sparks Anger After Labeling Trump Voters “Misogynists”

Continue Reading

Trending