What would YOU go without?

[Lord Krunk]

I am currently doing an aid project at the moment called the 40 Hour Famine, of which I will be doing some weekend in the near future. My famine: Computers.

The thing is, you have to give up something important for 40 hours, whether that be food, computers, furniture etc.

My question is this: What would you choose to go without? And what can you never relinquish?

 

[Swift Tactix]

I would choose gaming in general. I game for entertainment, without it I would have to watch tv or watch other people play games. ;(

I wouldn't give up reading though. I would go insane!

 

[mark_n_b]

The last time I did this, I lived on the street for a weekend. It did not make me like or understand street people anymore...

I am not sure, what is important to me... I can't give up computers, I need to use them for my job, and frankly, 40 hours without is a cake walk like a vacation.

Hmmmm.... this is tough, the fact is 40 hours is too short a time span. Maybe I'd go without food for 40 hours. That would be tough. Or I'd extend it to a month. Not being able to use a computer for a month would highlight the whole going without thing.

We are too spoiled.

 

[aussiesniper]

I would go without speech, writing and communication in general. That would probably be hardest...

I could never give up computers. they're simply too useful and entertaining.

Mark, you're too right. we are spoiled.

 

[Lord Krunk]

I have thought about it, and I have decided that I can not give up warm clothing. At least, not now anyway.

 

[puffbro1]

I would have to go without food, because things like games and computers wouldn't really be a problem to go 40 hours without, thus defeating the whole point. And both of you are right, we are too spoiled.

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

I could go without gaming pretty easily for 40 hours, I think.

Maybe I'd go without legs for 40 hours. Just buy a wheelchair and see what that's like.

Or, you know, some shit like that.

 

[stompy]

Ah, the 40-hour-famine! I have friends doing that...

Anyways, as I'd already told the friends that had asked me, the thing I would most likely go crazy without for 40 hours would be technology. You know, no (electronic) technology for a whole weekend.

I can't give up computers, I need to use them for my job,

If you were to do the 40-hour-famine, you wouldn't be missing out with work since it takes course over the weekend. Though, this is counting you needing to use the computer at home.

 

[GothmogII]

Anything I guess. However, the whole excercise seems pointless, as, if you're going to do something like this seriously, instead of actually going out and maybe volunteering or something then that's just 40 hours of both your life, and the time that could have been spent helping others. That's of course if you're just doing the famine on it's own.

What I mean is. Oh wow, you went without eating/talking/using the computer for almost two days, yay. Granted, it probably could instill some sort of appreciation in you as to the plight of others, or to not take things for granted, but, other than you, who is it helping?

Unless of course, I've missed the point entirely, and it's -supposed- to be wholly personal. *shrug*

 

[Lord Krunk]

Anything I guess. However, the whole excercise seems pointless, as, if you're going to do something like this seriously, instead of actually going out and maybe volunteering or something then that's just 40 hours of both your life, and the time that could have been spent helping others. That's of course if you're just doing the famine on it's own.

What I mean is. Oh wow, you went without eating/talking/using the computer for almost two days, yay. Granted, it probably could instill some sort of appreciation in you as to the plight of others, or to not take things for granted, but, other than you, who is it helping?

Unless of course, I've missed the point entirely, and it's -supposed- to be wholly personal. *shrug*

You make an interesting point. I mainly do things for the experience or the challenge, and the things I discover are an added bonus.
The whole point of the 40 Hour Famine is to experience a part of what developing countries experience every day, to provide an example of why we are lucky to be where we are.

However, the 40 Hour Famine is only the reason why I brought this topic up. I just wish to know what you would give up for 40 hours in my position, and, more importantly, what you can't bear to relinquish.

It's not personal, it's just an interesting subject. That is all.

 

[Lord Krunk]

My famine would be work. But i'd keep getting payed. I work five days a week, 8 hours a day, 6-3 spending the whole days standing (which is a lot harder than it sounds) and on ocasion i shovel 400 tons of shit out of the sheds. But at least it pays good. Another day, another dollar.

Nope, if you gave up your job, you will not get payed. It's the rule of the famine; one I just made up.

Please pick something you would be reluctant to give up for 40 hours.

 

[Novajam]

Anything I guess. However, the whole excercise seems pointless, as, if you're going to do something like this seriously, instead of actually going out and maybe volunteering or something then that's just 40 hours of both your life, and the time that could have been spent helping others. That's of course if you're just doing the famine on it's own.

What I mean is. Oh wow, you went without eating/talking/using the computer for almost two days, yay. Granted, it probably could instill some sort of appreciation in you as to the plight of others, or to not take things for granted, but, other than you, who is it helping?

Unless of course, I've missed the point entirely, and it's -supposed- to be wholly personal. *shrug*

Here's how it works:
When you nominate yourself to do the famine, you get a little book. In this book you get people (friends, family, co-workers) to sponsor you by promising to give you money for going 40 hours without something. When the famine weekend comes around, you go 40 hours (Friday 8pm - Sunday 12pm) without your chosen comfort, Afterwards you collect the money that your sponsors pledged. Then you give the money to World Vision (because they organise the event) and they send the money off to help people (supposedly).

I've only done it once. I didn't realy feel like I was helping (only collected ~$15) and I don't like the way all the ads for these charities send you on a guilt trip.

Note - I hope I'm not sounding like some know-it-all here. Just seemed like only the Australian users understand it. I honestly though more people would have heard of it what with it being World Vision and all.

As for what I'd go without, A few years ago I went without food. That was pretty easy. These days if I wanted to make it easy I'd go without Internet. Going without Electricity would be a bit more of a challenge.

 

[GothmogII]

Anything I guess. However, the whole excercise seems pointless, as, if you're going to do something like this seriously, instead of actually going out and maybe volunteering or something then that's just 40 hours of both your life, and the time that could have been spent helping others. That's of course if you're just doing the famine on it's own.

What I mean is. Oh wow, you went without eating/talking/using the computer for almost two days, yay. Granted, it probably could instill some sort of appreciation in you as to the plight of others, or to not take things for granted, but, other than you, who is it helping?

Unless of course, I've missed the point entirely, and it's -supposed- to be wholly personal. *shrug*

Here's how it works:
When you nominate yourself to do the famine, you get a little book. In this book you get people (friends, family, co-workers) to sponsor you by promising to give you money for going 40 hours without something. When the famine weekend comes around, you go 40 hours (Friday 8pm - Sunday 12pm) without your chosen comfort, Afterwards you collect the money that your sponsors pledged. Then you give the money to World Vision (because they organise the event) and they send the money off to help people (supposedly).

I've only done it once. I didn't realy feel like I was helping (only collected ~$15) and I don't like the way all the ads for these charities send you on a guilt trip.

Note - I hope I'm not sounding like some know-it-all here. Just seemed like only the Australian users understand it. I honestly though more people would have heard of it what with it being World Vision and all.

As for what I'd go without, A few years ago I went without food. That was pretty easy. These days if I wanted to make it easy I'd go without Internet. Going without Electricity would be a bit more of a challenge.

Hmm, I feel better then, thanks for wiping away my ignorance. That certainly does sound better than nothing at all. ^^'

 

[Novajam]

No problem

 

[Lord Krunk]

No problem

Thanks for the help!

 

[Calobi]

Maybe I'd go without legs for 40 hours. Just buy a wheelchair and see what that's like.

No wheelchair! Just lop them off. I'm sure you could have them surgically reattached after 40 hours; after all, some doctors just grafted two fresh arms onto an old man who lost his, and the tissue and nerves fused together nicely. He can use them just like his old ones.

Anyways, I would have a problem with going without the Internet for 40 hours. Games, books, talking, phones, even food would be a cake walk compared to losing the Internet. It's less that I need it, and more that I always feel weird when I realize that I can't, at any moment, see what news/entertainment/other-Internet-type-things are going on.

 

[Thais]

I'd (try) to go without any of the modern conveniences. No electricity, no gas, no toilet/shower. Obviously wouldn't be able to get away with no water at all, but...yah...that'd be a tough 40 hours.

 

[ThrGree]

Try going 40 hours without talking, I did that last year. Prety hard if talkative kind of person.

 

[pxZero]

I'd be most reluctant to give up my vision. 40 hours without vision would be... horrible to me. Beyond losing the ability to read, use the computer and watch TV, even daily simplicities like getting dressed, eating food and going to the bathroom would be a hassle.

Yep, if I needed 40 hours of sacrifice, vision would for sure be my offering.

 

[Conqueror Kenny]

Swearing, when I talk a swear occasionally I tried to do it before and failed miserably. Seriously, I just can't stop I do it without realising.