Want a new curling iron? That will be 5,000 likes. How about a new computer? Oh, that will certainly be about 10,000. A car? You are talking at least a million. What about a house? That is going to be about 10 million. As soon as you hit that point though, you are definitely in the money.

Everyone is familiar with their friendly Internet troll these days, and there are a lot of different types out there. There are those who are just looking for a reaction of any sort, those who stalk Facebook and twitter accounts just waiting for an opportunity to give their two cents or this new type of troll that has quietly crept in the back garden and is now suddenly sitting on your couch, begging you to love him... and to get them stuff.

Initially, in Stage 1, this all began as a bit of fun, and it was taken on board as such, particularly when people began to suggest that they would turn their house into a pirate ship if they got to 1000 likes on Facebook. They were certainly enjoyed online, viewed as whimsical and pretty funny and brought the laughs.

A quick search on google will give you these results

With Stage 2, someone discovered the potential of what we could achieve for the greater good. They began to use it as a way to raise awareness for charity events and donations to worthwhile causes, which was also acceptable as it served a double purpose by making people aware but also sourcing some well-needed money.

But somewhere along the line the entire process took a turn into Stage 3 and everything became slightly more self-serving and in some ways, a little more disgraceful; people began to specifically ask for things that they needed... and that they wanted.

Now, don't get us wrong here, if somebody takes to the Internt to ask for something that is genuinely needed, a sick family member, a flight home to maybe see a dying relative or help in another way that they desperately need, we genuinely hope this method will give you the help you require. However, this is all becoming sullied by the fact that a lot of people out there are just asking for items that they WANT simply because they are too lazy to work for something themselves.

In one specific case, an Irish girl who was based abroad in Perth took to social media with a group of her friends so that she might be able to fly home to see her home county play at Croker. As of today she secured enough money to pay for her flight and will be attend the game.

While we have nothing against her personally, surely she must have known when she made the decision to move abroad that she would have to miss occasions like this. Is it fair to ask people that she does not know to foot the bill for her outing? Not really. Plenty of those living abroad want to come home for one reason or another, should each of them take to social media to raise money? And with that, does it not ruin the cause of the next person who may need it for a genuine cause?

Let's call a spade a spade, it is also incredibly selfish. Consider the times we are living in, a recession which many think we will never see the end of, thousands of people emigrating in the hopes of a better life, children going to bed hungry, those doing without just so they can put a meal on the table and some person suddenly shows up on their timeline in Facebook with a status demanding a product if they get 1000 likes.

In my own personal case, last year my aunt and uncle who lived in Australia were both incredibly ill, both battling different forms of cancer. Around the same time, a member of their immediate family suddenly passed away. The family was struggling but due to the very high cost of flights to Australia many of our own family could not actually leave the country to visit them, or even to help out. When a campaign begins to get someone home for something trivial, it obviously calls into question the validity of their request.

Shouldn't we be using this method to help people out, to help those struggling to come home to a sick relative or to one who has left? To raise awareness for a charity or to help out someone in need? By using this for personal gain, these people are undermining its potential to actually help.

The first five thousand of these projects were a little funny, but let's stop the madness. Given the debate that is currently taking place on Reddit at the moment, it seems most people would agree with the fact that this is just pure greed.

As the famous saying goes, "Never stand begging for that which you have the power to earn." Wise words.

 

UPDATE - August 2nd at 9.20am

We have received an email from Emer, of the 'Fly Emer to Croker campaign', which reads in part: 

"I didn't get the total amount for the flight not even near it, and I had never asked for the total amount I initially asked the GAA and County Board for help then the page grew in popularity and businesses in Cavan donated to me. Infact all of the donations I got apart from 1 where from people I knew. everyone is entitled to their opinions and I appreciate that and have read every comment and link sent to me good or bad.