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.

  • Babs [she/her]
    ·
    9 days ago

    Is it lib of me, that when I find someone deprived of what they need to survive, I'm more inclined to try and find local resources that could be more sustainable? If I hear someone is starving, money is nice but how about knowledge of a place where you can get a free lunch and dinner every day? Or even a free weekly food box? Shelters generally suck, but I feel compelled to at least be like "check out these ones if you haven't, they're a little better."

    It's the social worker in me. Some folks just need a couple bucks to pay some intractible cost like rent or medicine, but if someone is dealing with structural poverty, they probably need structural supports yeah?

    I worry that it would come off as condescending to be like "hey I'm not gonna give you any money, but Sisters is open for lunch rn and Sunshine has open food box sign ups. Do you need any help signing up for Medicaid and food stamps?"

    Should I self crit about this?

    • Blockocheese [any]
      ·
      6 days ago

      If you genuinely can't provide any money but can provide your labor by finding resources for someone, that's cool and good.

      If you have the option of providing money in addition to those resources and choose not to, id do some self crit on why you're opposed to giving desperate people money that you can spare shrug-outta-hecks

      But yeah, the resources are definitely useful in the long run and it would be very kind of you to provide that aid, comrade