Anonymous donations are bullshit

Interesting; I'm a bit torn over this. On the one hand, I don't think people should lord themselves over others because they support charities, forget the bragging about one's wealth aspect (haven't there been studies that show the opposite, ie, you're more likely to see a poorer person donate than a rich one). I also don't think that people should enjoy any overt advantages due to donating to charity (otherwise, it's not charity).

On the other hand, I do think it's a good example to set, especially for those who are normally maligned as "amoral", eg atheist charities in particular have had to learn to do more PR to counter the stigma (completely unearned; again, studies show that more atheistic/secular countries are more generous) that atheist groups have.

That being said, I try not to bring up my donations to charity, unless they come up some other way, but I also wouldn't be doing them if I didn't enjoy doing them, so it again doesn't "feel" like "charity". I feel actions speak louder than words, and it's best to try to set a good example.

Some people may have valid personal reasons for not wanting to make their charitable donations public. To make a blanket statement that this is "bullshit" is, in a word, bullshit.

I think that goes for blood donation, too. If it's a secret, no one has a model to live up to.

I hate calling attention to myself, but the good of the cause has to trump humility.