Why is so little given...

Nicholas Kristof has a nice essay of charitable giving to the developing countries...

It’s the Group of 8 summit in Italy, and world leaders are strolling along when they spot a girl floundering in a pond, crying out and then dipping beneath the surface. There are no cameras around. The leaders could safely rescue the girl, but they would get drenched and risk damaging their $600 shoes. A rescue would also delay the group’s discussion of Very Important Issues. In that situation, I’m convinced, the presidents and prime ministers would leap into the water to save the girl. So would you or I. (The difference is that the G-8 leaders would then hold a televised press conference to spotlight their compassion, perhaps canceling their session on humanitarian aid to do so.)

Read more...