# On giving

By [Tony's Napkin Doodles](https://paragraph.com/@tony-s-napkin-doodles) · 2021-05-17

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Sometime last year I decided to start giving a meaningful amount of my income to charity. It has been one of the simplest and most freeing changes I've made to my life. I hope others will consider it.

At the end of the day, it's not that deep. I believe a few things at a conceptual level:

*   Life outcomes are mostly based on luck
    
*   I'm luckier than most
    
*   I think the lucky among us should [shoulder some responsibility](https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/veil-of-ignorance) for the less lucky I also believe at a practical level:
    
*   Society fails to care for the unlucky
    
*   [Everything is commensurable](https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/12/19/nobody-is-perfect-everything-is-commensurable/) and the best way for me to help the unlucky is to give money
    

So when Alex asked me if I'd [join the #CryptoGivingPledge](https://twitter.com/TheGivingBlock/status/1394321834326249478) I agreed.

Giving is a simple and effective way to establish a baseline for helping your fellow man. Perhaps there's a non-monetary way I can move the needle that dwarfs the impact of financial gifts but I don't know what that is yet. Until then, giving is a wonderful placeholder that brings me joy. I hope you will consider it.

NFT

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*Originally published on [Tony's Napkin Doodles](https://paragraph.com/@tony-s-napkin-doodles/on-giving)*