Rather than taking a "holier than thou" stance and refusing to engage with governments that have committed atrocities, it is more effective to build bridges. Cooperation invites them into the 21st century and aligns them with your values, whereas isolationism is counterproductive.

Unlike most people who worry if a recipient is a "good person," altruistic kidney donors operate from a belief that no one is "so bad that they don't deserve to live." This demonstrates profound humility and a focus on universal need over moral calculus.

One of Jesus' "New Ten Commandments" was to show mercy without expecting thanks, repentance, or any social outcome. It is an emotional act of grace to be exercised "simply for its own sake." This reframes mercy not as a transactional tool for improving others, but as an intrinsic good.

Public opposition to foreign aid is based on a massive misconception. Polls show Americans think 25% of the U.S. budget is spent on foreign aid and want it cut to 10%. The actual figure is only 0.6%, meaning their desired "cut" is still a massive increase.

When you trade labor for money and save it, you contribute goods or services to society without yet consuming an equivalent amount. This increases the world's net productive output. Saving is therefore not just a personal financial strategy but a fundamentally moral, pro-civilizational act.

People-pleasing is often driven by the "Agreeableness" trait—a fear of being disliked. Genuine altruism is linked to "Honesty-Humility," where helping comes from a stable self-image and authentic concern for others' welfare, making one less susceptible to manipulation.

Morality is not a static trait you possess but a state you achieve through action. Engaging in pro-social behavior shapes your identity as a moral person, creating a virtuous cycle where action precedes and builds character, which can then inspire others.

An aid agency's budget is dwarfed by a host country's ministry spending. Therefore, instead of running parallel programs, the most impactful approach is "system strengthening": working directly with local government to integrate evidence and optimize how they allocate their own, much larger, budgets.

Unlike typical government welfare, aid money in Argentina, even from international sources, is channeled through Peronist party operatives who hand it out physically. This frames the aid as a personal gift from the party, creating a powerful system of dependency and political obligation.