[qazpot]

The point of altruism when you broadcast is to feel good yourself.

The number of lives saved remains the same whether you broadcast it or not.

So, what's the point in broadcasting?

[piokoch]

Very true, as St. Matthew has written

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"

A lot of charity is not for the sake of helping someone, but for the sake of making oneself to look noble, get publicity, or earn money (like those "buy X, then we will donate Y" promos).

Personally I don't have such bad feelings about that, as it is a win-win situation very often - those who need get something eventually. I can tolerate a little bit of hypocrisy in that case.

[cultofmetatron]

From a religious perspective, that verse would have merit.

From a purely utilitarian perspective, it make no difference. If it encourages others to follow suit, its a net bonus if anything.

[neilparikh]

Others are convinced to follow on your footsteps.

The reason I started giving to AMF was because a friend of mine posted about their giving to AMF. I would have been less likely to do so if I hadn't seen that post, so broadcasting probably led to more lives saved. Another friend of mine said he was also motivated to give by seeing the very same post.

Anyway, I didn't claim that broadcasting is positive, or has a point. I simply responded to the claim that broadcasting "cheapens" altruism.