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Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

independent.co.uk

21–30 of 115 posts

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it doesn't really matter, does it? I wouldn't ask here, it's not everyone's business. (not that it implies anything specific, it's just not really strangers' business - OP has detailed profile info up. I would ask in private if you really want to know.)

I think he implied that it is for a dumb reason why he isn't allowed, that's why i asked. But yeah, i shouldn't.

If the commenter hadn't intended for someone to ask the question why did they mention it? Conversational protocol dictates the hearer engage with what was said. Asking for more information on one or more aspects of an open communication is normal.

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#23
post #19

So, how long until someone figures out that they don't actually need to save someone's life to send a text message? And what about using the blood when someone's life is not saved, does that not warrant a text message? How come the entities using the blood and/or distributing it have access to the phone numbers of the donors?

The title is misleading. As I understand it from the text and photo of the sms (i don't speak swedish), messages are sent when the blood is used. It doesn't say whether it saved somebodies life or not.

The text message says "Thanks! The blood you donated on January 13, 2015 has now been beneficial for a patent. Best regards, the Blood Centre."

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#24

This could work not just for donating blood, but for pretty much any kind of service. Imagine if you could see, in real time, how your job affects other people's lives, even in the most mundane way. It would let you see the value of what you do, and give you a reason to do it better.

I always thought about this about taxes. If you could choose from a list of projects a la Kickstarter where YOU choose where your taxes go to, I'm sure people would not only feel better about taxes in general but would allow them to get involved in said projects.

The problem with this approach is the areas of need rarely aligns with areas of desire. What happens to those areas that need resources that nobody really cares about?

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#25

What a genius idea to raise awareness. This seems like a no-brainer for blood banks, hospitals, public health and so on.

I think it's a terrible idea. That reverse track from specific use of blood to phone number of the source should not even exist.

That probably must exist to track potential problem with donor's blood in case it wasn't spotted

And also, people generally like being appreciated personally. I'd imagine that named donations prevail over anonymous in most cases.

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#26

This could work not just for donating blood, but for pretty much any kind of service. Imagine if you could see, in real time, how your job affects other people's lives, even in the most mundane way. It would let you see the value of what you do, and give you a reason to do it better.

I always thought about this about taxes. If you could choose from a list of projects a la Kickstarter where YOU choose where your taxes go to, I'm sure people would not only feel better about taxes in general but would allow them to get involved in said projects.

Agreed, I don't believe we should be forced (with the threat of imprisonment) to pay taxes. I believe it should be voluntary, that way members of society get to allocate their resources in the most efficient way possible.

You might already be a Libertarian/Voluntaryist for having this belief but if not check out Murray Rothbard or Friedrick Hayek.

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#27

What a genius idea to raise awareness. This seems like a no-brainer for blood banks, hospitals, public health and so on.

I think it's a terrible idea. That reverse track from specific use of blood to phone number of the source should not even exist.

So that if a donor is diagnosed with an infectious disease you have to throw away all blood in the centre? There are good reasons to track the provenance of blood.

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always thought about this about taxes. If you could choose from a list of projects a la Kickstarter where YOU choose where your taxes go to, I'm sure people would not only feel better about taxes in general but would allow them to get involved in said projects.

The problem with this approach is the areas of need rarely aligns with areas of desire. What happens to those areas that need resources that nobody really cares about?

Well if you agree with the assumption that we live in a democracy and that for anything to exist in a democracy a majority of people have to support it? Such as welfare for the poor and sick, etc.

If we took away that democracy that majority of people will still exist the only difference is they get to voluntary choose where to put their resources (meaning 100% goes to the charities) rather than having most of it spent by bureaucrats and politicians on other things such as war, debt, etc.

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#29

Life hacks. On a date in Sweden? Arrange your buddy to send you a text message saying you just saved someone's life. Watch jealousy turn to desire when you get a text message (another girl??), and say, "Oh - I just saved someone's life. See?" I'm just kidding. My real point is that a mailed letter (or email) sounds more appropriate than a text message. But then again maybe not!

Wouldn't work in the US, I find that the social value of having saved someone's life is somewhere between zero and negative, unless that someone belongs to your interlocutor's subculture. You tell an investor in SF, in passing, "I talked a junkie off the bridge and took her away before the cops showed up, and let her stay at my place for six months until she cleaned up", and they'll think you are mad, not honorable.…

>"I talked a junkie off the bridge and took her away before the cops showed up, and let her stay at my place for six months until she cleaned up"

It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who got an ex-girlfriend this way.

Re: Blood donors in Sweden get a text message when their blood saves someone's life

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always thought about this about taxes. If you could choose from a list of projects a la Kickstarter where YOU choose where your taxes go to, I'm sure people would not only feel better about taxes in general but would allow them to get involved in said projects.

The problem with this approach is the areas of need rarely aligns with areas of desire. What happens to those areas that need resources that nobody really cares about?

> What happens to those areas that need resources that nobody really cares about?

This is why taxes cannot be donations. Indeed, they are not donations.

I remember the people at institutional giving at my old college say that nobody wants their name on a parking lot.

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