As it stands now, this community serves mostly as a way to get money. That isn't a bad thing, but cash is not a 1-size-fits-all solution to every problem. Taking care of a persons needs is always priority #1, but at times, said person is unfit to handle money in a way that reliably alleviates those needs. Traditional, local, mutual-aid networks can usually address this in the form of community pot lucks, clothing exchange, etc. Here we are more or less limited to advice and more money.

Making a rule about unsolicited advice and being critical of users, limits us to just money as a tool to solve problems. Sometimes people need a tough conversation to grow as a person, sometimes people need to be reminded of the situation they are in. Yes, the capitalist system is oppressive. Yes, there are systemic issues that prevent us all from succeeding. That doesn't mean there is no situation where decision making is a factor. Sometimes, you do actually need help making better choices. This isn't to shame people for making bad decisions, sometimes there are psychiatric reasons, sometimes they genuinely don't know any better, but you still should speak up so they can potentially correct the problem and learn.

This rule effectively creates a hug-box where we all pretend that personal responsibility doesn't exist, that there is simply nothing to be done. It's incredibly infantile, it's a cope, and the people in this community deserve better than that.

EDIT: I feel I may have had a change of heart after reading the comments left by @EelBolshevikism If you are looking for a somewhat comprehensive response, those comments are likely a good starting point.

  • Diuretic_Materialism [he/him]
    ·
    5 days ago

    If you drop a few thousand bucks into a homeless addict's lap and expect them to snap their fingers and magically get all their shit together, you're as naive as a toddler.

    Haven't there been city and state programs that do almost exactly this and found that, broadly, they are pretty successful and improved the living conditions of most recipients?

    • EelBolshevikism [none/use name]
      ·
      5 days ago

      there's a difference between something having a statistically positive effect on most recipients, and being able to outright expect that positive effect from a single instance

      • Diuretic_Materialism [he/him]
        ·
        5 days ago

        Oh no I understand that, but I think saying "just dropping money in a homeless persons lap WONT fix their problems" is maybe reinforcing certain turbo lib, anti-public assistance talking points.

        In reality, dropping money in their laps often CAN HELP, potentially a lot. Not always but it clearly often does and hence such programs are a good thing even if there are certain individuals for whom that assistance alone isn't enough.

        • EelBolshevikism [none/use name]
          ·
          4 days ago

          I think the point is that money almost always helps, but it isn't a transactional thing when you give money to someone asking for aid. You aren't actually owed correct behavior from them or for them to recover and have a better life (this doesn't mean scammers pretending to be in need are good, either, just that those asking in good faith shouldn't be judged for their decisions with money given to them willingly with full information). But