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The contrast to these two situations is unbelievable, and unaccceptable

(31 Posts)
GillT57 Fri 17-Dec-21 14:28:43

We were watching TV a couple of evenings back and the DEC were broadcasting a request for help for Afghanistan people facing a desperate winter of starvation, freezing cold, malnutrition and lack of medicines, it was desperate and awful to watch. This was followed by an item about people who collect trainers, have huge collections, pay hundreds of pounds for these ugly shoes that they don't even wear, and then it went on to the development of 'virtual trainers' costing £10k upwards which the purchaser does not see, wear or own. I honestly felt as if I had fallen down a rabbit hole. Children starving to death, people buying shoes they don't even wear. Beam me up Scotty.

Bibbity Fri 17-Dec-21 14:32:18

These are not the rich we need to worry about.

The billionaires earning their wealth of the death and poverty of their workers is who should be fought.
Not someone who likes their collection. Would you feel the same about Stamps or Coins?

DanniRae Fri 17-Dec-21 14:33:02

Does anyone know the best way to donate to help the people of Afghanistan? Thank you x

Namsnanny Fri 17-Dec-21 14:36:00

It's all degrees though Bibbity

GillT57 Fri 17-Dec-21 14:41:35

Yes I agree Bibbity, but it was the contrast of the urgency of one situation and the pointlessness of the other that bothered me

MayBee70 Fri 17-Dec-21 14:44:14

I agree. I think a lot of us are wondering what we’re doing down that rabbit hole. And if there’s a way out of it.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 17-Dec-21 14:52:24

Obscene.

silverlining48 Fri 17-Dec-21 15:01:43

MSF are highly regarded I think. They often go where other charities fear to tread.
My dd recently raised a lot of money for families she knows in Afghanistan, so she knew the money was not diverted elsewhere. It costs hundreds £££ to get visas to leave and some of the money went towards that. I am very proud of her.

MayBee70 Fri 17-Dec-21 15:05:24

And so you should be. Well done her.

TerriBull Fri 17-Dec-21 15:06:25

Unfortunately we live in parallel universes. Was there ever a time such as this, when people boasted and displayed their wealth in such a conspicuous and trashy way. Very well known people, famous for no particular reason, often showcase the amount of money spent on their tiny children's parties and those infants given fripperies such as smaller version of some stupid handbag costing thousands of pounds, when they don't even know what a handbag is. Meanwhile across the globe, other small children are starving or being sold as a marriage proposition before they can even walk and talk.

Yes I agree with the OP and the shoes they are damn ugly, but then so called collections of inanimate objects are often bizarre.

Barmeyoldbat Fri 17-Dec-21 15:06:31

I give to MSF, I can’t think of anything worse than having to sell you children to raise money to feed the family. AWful situation

GillT57 Fri 17-Dec-21 15:07:43

Fashion is often considered to be exclusive, but Nike has taken that proposition to a new level by acquiring a company that sells shoes people will never wear, or even touch. The brand has bought RTFKT Studios (pronounced “artefact”), a British start-up that creates virtual trainers and clothing that sell for thousands of pounds.

RTFKT’s technology lets buyers look like they are wearing these items on social media platforms such as Instagram and its collaborations with video game companies allow players to dress their avatars in their RTFKT purchases

Just in case anyone thinks I have been ingesting hallucinatory substances, this is from The Times, this week. I can't post anymore due to the paywall, but I think this is enough anyway, quite frankly. Talk about a fool and his money are easy parted.....These are around £30,000 PER PAIR.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 17-Dec-21 15:13:00

Yes, it was ever thus terribull. People parading around in fine, ostentatious clothes and eating obscene amounts of food whilst the poor wore rags and starved. People erecting fine, ostentatious buildings whilst if they were lucky the poor lived several families to a room in the slums, sharing a privy.

Calistemon Fri 17-Dec-21 15:17:08

Beam me up Scotty.
I think it's the beaming me up into space, Scotty, that annoys me more.
Bezos et al going off for jollies - how much does that cost?

Ok, perhaps he donates a lot to charity too!

Perhaps the people who buy virtual trainers confused donate to charity too
It does seem a very bizarre thing to do.

Calistemon Fri 17-Dec-21 15:19:26

GillT57

^Fashion is often considered to be exclusive, but Nike has taken that proposition to a new level by acquiring a company that sells shoes people will never wear, or even touch. The brand has bought RTFKT Studios (pronounced “artefact”), a British start-up that creates virtual trainers and clothing that sell for thousands of pounds^.

RTFKT’s technology lets buyers look like they are wearing these items on social media platforms such as Instagram and its collaborations with video game companies allow players to dress their avatars in their RTFKT purchases

Just in case anyone thinks I have been ingesting hallucinatory substances, this is from The Times, this week. I can't post anymore due to the paywall, but I think this is enough anyway, quite frankly. Talk about a fool and his money are easy parted.....These are around £30,000 PER PAIR.

It is truly bizarre. These people must be a bit simple.
It reminds me of the Emperor's New Clothes.

Just think how many pairs of trainers that would buy for children who have no shoes.

GillT57 Fri 17-Dec-21 16:17:02

Yes it truly is The Emperor's New Clothes. I have to admit a sneaking respect though for those who have devised this and then convinced gullible fools that their life is incomplete without these virtual trainers. I need a lie down. And a gin.

MayBee70 Fri 17-Dec-21 16:21:38

Calistemon

*Beam me up Scotty.*
I think it's the beaming me up into space, Scotty, that annoys me more.
Bezos et al going off for jollies - how much does that cost?

Ok, perhaps he donates a lot to charity too!

Perhaps the people who buy virtual trainers confused donate to charity too
It does seem a very bizarre thing to do.

I don’t think he’s a great charity donator but I believe his ex wife screwed him for as much as possible when they divorced and gave a lot of it away. Which sounds good to me.

M0nica Fri 17-Dec-21 16:21:56

The Disasters Emergency Committee of the main overseas aid charities in this country have made a special appeal
www.dec.org.uk/press-release/dec-launches-afghanistan-crisis-appeal-with-over-8-million-at-risk-of-starvation-over

Grany Fri 17-Dec-21 16:40:01

The Royals spending public money daily.
Money in off shore accounts, unaccountable exempt from freedom of information act.

Millions living in poverty rises in food banks use.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=AYFjgTXP2RQ&feature=youtu.be

mokryna Fri 17-Dec-21 17:03:54

One billionaire buys a ticket for a space flight, while another allegedly bought some acres of a rainforest.

mumofmadboys Fri 17-Dec-21 17:19:48

I agree DanniRae the Disasters Emergency appeal DEC seems the best way to help

Calistemon Fri 17-Dec-21 17:21:25

Yes, I used to donate to separate charities but the DEC is the best way I think.

Calistemon Fri 17-Dec-21 17:23:34

MayBee70

Calistemon

Beam me up Scotty.
I think it's the beaming me up into space, Scotty, that annoys me more.
Bezos et al going off for jollies - how much does that cost?

Ok, perhaps he donates a lot to charity too!

Perhaps the people who buy virtual trainers confused donate to charity too
It does seem a very bizarre thing to do.

I don’t think he’s a great charity donator but I believe his ex wife screwed him for as much as possible when they divorced and gave a lot of it away. Which sounds good to me.

Yes I think she did, Maybee

I was surprised to hear that he has donated millions to help combat climate change (off-setting?).

Calistemon Fri 17-Dec-21 17:24:32

GillT57

Yes it truly is The Emperor's New Clothes. I have to admit a sneaking respect though for those who have devised this and then convinced gullible fools that their life is incomplete without these virtual trainers. I need a lie down. And a gin.

A virtual gin?

I'm having one, can taste it already ?

Allsorts Fri 17-Dec-21 17:35:51

Everyone spends their money as they choose. However, I cannot understand the mentality of people buying virtual trainers, previously they would have been sectioned, I bet Nike are laughing all the way to the bank, I’m just enjoying a virtual Baileys over Ice and a box of Hotel Chocolate Ginger and they haven’t cost a penny. I will have more later on. I will continue to donate with the actual money I have saved.