8 ms·

It's already been done [1]. An interesting point someone brought up about this is if your money goes to a good cause, it may be less of a motivator, since even

It's already been done [1]. An interesting point someone brought up about this is if your money goes to a good cause, it may be less of a motivator, since even if you fail your personal goal, you still did some good. Perhaps donating money to a charity or political party you don't agree with would be more motivating. [1] https://loseitorloseit.com/ https://loseitorloseit.com/

reitzensteinm 14y ago
Absolutely. It would probably make for a much catchier PR story as well. Don't finish your course? We'll donate to the KKK and Westboro Baptist Church, and send you a copy of Pinheads and Patriots! Obviously, that last one would change depending on your political affiliation and/or intelligence, but a light hearted jab at half the country never hurt anyone.
wahnfrieden 14y ago
Radiolab ran a story about an older woman who was co Poetry addicted to smoking, and eventually she caved out of shame and flippantly told her friend she'd donate $5000 to the KKK if she caught her smoking again. It worked, apparently, and she claims she entirely intended to donate it if she started again, and that her hate and disgust of the thought overtook her will to smoke. Can't say I condone the method, but interesting anyway.
- petercooper 14y ago
  Can't say I condone the method, but interesting anyway. I'm intrigued now. Why not? (Because of the risk of the KKK getting the donation?)
  - wahnfrieden 14y ago
    Yes, from her telling of it, it worked because she was absolutely ready to pay the consequences. At that point her smoking habit becomes other peoples problem (in addition to second-hand smoke etc).
    - petercooper 14y ago
      I guess the reason I don't see the problem is because I believe the gambit was so bold that she simply would never start to smoke again. (A sort of personal "nuclear deterrent", if you will. But like a nuclear deterrent, dangerous if used!)
      - wahnfrieden 14y ago
        Maybe. I think it's dependent on how disposable your money is.

reitzensteinm 14y ago

Absolutely. It would probably make for a much catchier PR story as well. Don't finish your course? We'll donate to the KKK and Westboro Baptist Church, and send you a copy of Pinheads and Patriots! Obviously, that last one would change depending on your political affiliation and/or intelligence, but a light hearted jab at half the country never hurt anyone.

wahnfrieden 14y ago

Radiolab ran a story about an older woman who was co Poetry addicted to smoking, and eventually she caved out of shame and flippantly told her friend she'd donate $5000 to the KKK if she caught her smoking again. It worked, apparently, and she claims she entirely intended to donate it if she started again, and that her hate and disgust of the thought overtook her will to smoke. Can't say I condone the method, but interesting anyway.

petercooper 14y ago
Can't say I condone the method, but interesting anyway. I'm intrigued now. Why not? (Because of the risk of the KKK getting the donation?)
- wahnfrieden 14y ago
  Yes, from her telling of it, it worked because she was absolutely ready to pay the consequences. At that point her smoking habit becomes other peoples problem (in addition to second-hand smoke etc).
  - petercooper 14y ago
    I guess the reason I don't see the problem is because I believe the gambit was so bold that she simply would never start to smoke again. (A sort of personal "nuclear deterrent", if you will. But like a nuclear deterrent, dangerous if used!)
    - wahnfrieden 14y ago
      Maybe. I think it's dependent on how disposable your money is.