Comments for Is FreeRice.com making $150k each day in profits?

Excerpt from FAQ
"Does FreeRice make any money from this?"
"No, it does not. FreeRice runs the site at no profit."
This is what I go by for right now. Suspiscion and compassion do not mix. Generousity should be carried out with wisdom. How many times have people actually gone to a market, bought a bag of rice and give it away as charity? Frankly, I myself have not done it.

This is a brilliant way of channelling money to good use in an efficient manner. To top it all learn something from it. I do agree that Mr. Breen should register with a charity organisation if he has not already done so.

However, I wouldn't mind if John picks up some spilled over grains for himself since he is the one who came up with this great idea. I believe we all cherish the idea of innovation for the benefit of mankind.

i don't mind if he personally makes money.
i think he should for doing good and coming up with a great way to do it.
after all he could have gone into the weapons business and gotten rich. would that have been a better way? I think not.
vivzizi.com
the fizz of life

Interesting comparison! The power of relativity.
I've a question for you: what is better? Choose quick:

A. Getting rich by going into the weapons business.
B. Getting rich by robbing a bank and killing some innocent bystanders while you're at it.

My own personal pick? A.
You see... getting rich by going into the weapons business isn't so bad after all. :)

My point is: justifying getting rich off of charity by comparing it to something less praiseworthy, doesn't necessarily make it less obscene when standing on its own. How would you think about Breen if he would be donating part of possible revenue to a terrorist organization? Would it still be none of your business, as long as he helps the poor and needy in other parts of the globe? Would you turn a blind eye?

Not to say that Breen actually does this, but helping the poor and needy can be an incredibly effective decoy for all kinds of obscene things, and the benevolent cause itself shouldn't be a reason to stop thinking.

I myself don't understand why there has to be played a game first to help other people out. Or why sponsors are only paying up when their ad is shown. When I donate to charity, do I expect my name in the paper? Do I want something in return? No.

Sure, if this construction helps people out, great! That's my initial thought too. But why'd do it to get something out of it yourself (and I mean to address the sponsors in the first place, because I don't know what Breen does with his share), and all this chest pounding?

It just doesn't feel right, however good the cause. And that's because there are conditions. Conditions that produce a situation in which people will not get enough rice, because only so much people will play the game (and they too will tire of it).
And if you're only willing to help out when people are playing this game so they get to see your ads, then I think you're 'helping' with the wrong intention in mind. People dying because of hunger, in my book, isn't a great 'business opportunity'.

And as for the players: Have we got our heads really so far stuck into our own world of abundance and ignorance, that we need to associate playing a game with helping the hungry, in order to do something about it?

Btw, I have another great variation on this theme: let's get the poor and hungry to play the game themselves!
If they get the words right, they get to eat. Otherwise, next up!
"What's that, mr Dwembele, you don't understand English? Sorry. Next!" :)

On a positive note: Breen took action, and that gets this matter the attention it deserves.
But where does it go from here? I acknowledge my own responsibility in this just as well.

Oli, I see your point, but do not understand why you are so vested in trashing freerice.com. Donating money isn't always the answer... so much skimmed off the top anyway. Also, let's say Breen is making money...who cares? Good for him....encouraging kids and others to increase their vocabulary and donate at the same time? My kids love this website and it's another opportunity to dialog about world hunger and other global issues. Planting a seed in their minds, increasing vocabulary skills (very much needed in America) and contributing to world hunger... who gives a rip whether this guy might make money? It's brilliant!!! When my five year old learned about the site, he wanted to make another donation to the local food bank and play the game. Another lesson kids could learn... a creative way to make a living while doing something positive. If advertisers want to be on the site... their choice, their money. If you used the brain power that you've put into thinking about this, maybe you might come up with something productive to do or say like Breen has done. Holy cow... are you one of those dysfunctional, noisy neighbors who peeks out his window, knowing every single person's business and being pissed off about it, not living your own life? Do you know this guy personally and hate his guts? or....Are you just plain jealous? I realize your posts are 1 1/2 months old, but I just came across it and thinks it's incredibly idiotic. Freerice.com... need more sites like it.

Oli, I see your point, but do not understand why you are so vested in trashing freerice.com. Donating money isn't always the answer... so much skimmed off the top anyway. Also, let's say Breen is making money...who cares? Good for him....encouraging kids and others to increase their vocabulary and donate at the same time? My kids love this website and it's another opportunity to dialog about world hunger and other global issues. Planting a seed in their minds, increasing vocabulary skills (very much needed in America) and contributing to world hunger... who gives a rip whether this guy might make money? It's brilliant!!! When my five year old learned about the site, he wanted to make another donation to the local food bank and play the game. Another lesson kids could learn... a creative way to make a living while doing something positive. If advertisers want to be on the site... their choice, their money. If you used the brain power that you've put into thinking about this, maybe you might come up with something productive to do or say like Breen has done. Holy cow... are you one of those dysfunctional, noisy neighbors who peeks out his window, knowing every single person's business and being pissed off about it, not living your own life? Do you know this guy personally and hate his guts? or....Are you just plain jealous? The time you put into this is incredibly idiotic. Let it go!!!! Freerice.com... need more sites like it.

Oli, I see your point, but do not understand why you are so vested in trashing freerice.com. Donating money isn't always the answer... so much skimmed off the top anyway. Also, let's say Breen is making money...who cares? Good for him....encouraging kids and others to increase their vocabulary and donate at the same time? My kids love this website and it's another opportunity to dialog about world hunger and other global issues. Planting a seed in their minds, increasing vocabulary skills (very much needed in America) and contributing to world hunger... who gives a rip whether this guy might make money? It's brilliant!!! When my five year old learned about the site, he wanted to make another donation to the local food bank and play the game. Another lesson kids could learn... a creative way to make a living while doing something positive. If advertisers want to be on the site... their choice, their money. If you used the brain power that you've put into thinking about this, maybe you might come up with something productive to do or say like Breen has done. Holy cow... are you one of those dysfunctional, noisy neighbors who peeks out his window, knowing every single person's business and being pissed off about it, not living your own life? Do you know this guy personally and hate his guts? or....Are you just plain jealous? I realize your posts are up to 1 1/2 months old, but I just came across them and I think they are incredibly idiotic. Let it go!!!! Do something good!!! Freerice.com... need more sites like it

Why have we all become so mean spirited and so suspicious that we doubt any one who tries to do something good in this world. I find it fun to do a word game and know that I am making a contribution. So maybe not every grain gets in the pot. Tell me all you gainsayers. Did you put any money in the pot or did you just have fun. I play 7000 grains ..maybe onluy five goes. I spent no money and 5000 is better than none.If you don't like his idea or feel it is a cheat..come up with a better idea. Or just sit in your chairs and niggle. Me I.m going to work hard at my charity work. I.m a senior and this is such a good way to pass time. By the way does any one know of more web sites for charity . I would love to hear. Happy New Year to all of you.