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What do you think about […] funds are donated to those affected by the earthquake in Venezuela
I understand that you’re from the region, part of the Zcash en Español community and that these earthquakes have been in the news recently, but I think there’s plenty of other crises around the world to consider. Especially since we already have Z-Aid.
A Rescue.org top-10 from December lists Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Mali, Congo, Myanmar, Haiti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Palestine and Sudan. And instead of disaster relief, it might make more sense to donate to a cause that doesn’t merely align with our humanity but also with the core ideas of Zcash, such as The Information Rights Project or No Tax for War.
I mentioned Venezuela because there are active members of the Spanish-speaking Zcash community there, and I believe that, while all tragedies deserve our attention, those places where we know there are active Zcash members should be a priority. Don’t you agree?
It’s just a suggestion, though, and we can do it however we decide together. I’m open to all ideas and proposals.
There’s active members living throughout Africa and West Asia as well.
No, not necessarily. In part because the most desperate regions are least likely to join the community.
The main argument for it - that I see - is that it means we have people for doing groundwork like handing out aid packets. But it also invites nepotism: Aid going to people who know these community members personally, instead of the people who need it most.
And since this is the community-wide (not just hispanophone) chess club, I’d be in favour of either:
A global initiative
The most desperate regions
Rotation
Not starting with one that’s been all over the global news recently and recently raised a few thousand from this community.
I think No Tax for War would be a great candidate, because it:
Is relevant to community members on both sides of the issue
Relates to some of the most desperate regions
Is a timeless issue
Should be a global initiative
Is still a small organisation, increasing our relative impact
Very much aligns with the idea of financial freedom
Not disaster relief, but rather a form of disaster prevention that simultaneously makes an argument in favour of Zcash.
I totally agree with your argument and point of view. I hadn’t seen it that way and I think you’re right.
Now, let me ask you: wouldn’t it be more appropriate to choose initiatives where we can donate directly with ZEC?
I mean, if we choose No Tax For War, I think donations can only be in Fiat, they don’t even accept crypto. I think this is also a good point that we should take into account.
In other words, if all of us who are going to participate agree and choose an initiative that doesn’t accept crypto or ZEC, I could create a wallet, then make the swap and make the donation… it’s a longer and more tedious process, but it can be done.
I think it makes more sense to increase the amount of initiatives accepting Zcash, especially where those initiatives align with the raison d’être of Zcash. For instance by reaching out once a sum has been collected with a “we’d really rather transact without swapping, and you’ll be getting a little extra too because of it”, tutorial included.
You had probably never heard of them, and they probably never heard of us. That should not be a reason to shruggingly look further, but rather it’s an opportunity to knock on the door lest it stays closed.
Also note that NTfW provides a legal argument in favour of what is normally considered criminal, namely withholding taxes. Under international law we all have a personal responsibility to not aid and abet crimes against humanity. This means that (in quite some countries) it’s criminal to be a taxpayer, making financial autonomy a necessity for not being/becoming a war criminal.
Thus Zcash provides an opportunity not for committing crimes, but to remain an (international) law-abiding citizen.
