Back in the late 5th century BCE, Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 BCE) said, “When wealth is distributed, the people are brought together.” His words could not be more appropriate in 2015 with the widespread use of social media and smart phones – all of which have bound people together regardless of distance, borders, and time.

Today we communicate with each other all across the world and operate on a 24-hour cycle, checking messages and updates thousands of times a day. The “unconnected” world of the pre-Internet era is hard to imagine as we share important moments in our lives, which includes photography here at Ipernity.

In today’s digital world, Confucius’ words, which comprise the very essence of social responsibility – the ethical framework that promotes acts by organizations and individuals that benefit society at large – are easier than ever to uphold. And why not since in the words of cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead (1901-1978) “a small group of thoughtful, committed [people] can change the world.”

In addition, when it comes to physical health and psychological well-being, it appears that it really is “better to give than to receive!” Research “recently published in the Journal of Economic Psychology, found that donating to charity may actually improve a giver’s physical and emotional well being… suggest[ing] a link between increases in charitable tax subsidies… and people’s perceptions of their own health,” the latter a “good indicator of future healthcare use and mortality rates.”[1]

Studies conducted in 1999 and 2003 “found that elderly people who volunteered for two or more organizations” or “provided… help to friends, relatives and neighbors” were up to “44% less likely to die over a five-year period” than those who did not, “even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative habits like smoking.” A key reason is explained by a 2006 study that found “people who provided social support to others had lower blood pressure [and less stress] than [those] who” did not.[2]

At the same time charitable acts can even directly and immediately save one’s life, when two recent cases are considered. When a California woman decided to donate a kidney, doctors found she had developed undetectable breast cancer. At the same time, doctors discovered an aneurism behind a North Carolina man’s kidney upon removing it for donation. Because of the selfless generosity of these two people, doctors were able to take immediate corrective measures and save their lives.[3]

Furthermore, consistent with today’s digital technology, charitable acts also promote cooperation and advance social connection. “Being kind and generous leads you to perceive others more positively and more charitably [fostering] a heightened sense of interdependence and cooperation,” Sonja Lyubomirsky wrote in The How of Happiness (Penguin Books, New York, 2008).

Most importantly, giving can be contagious. Per a research study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, “when one person behaves generously, it inspires [others] to behave generously later, toward different people” such that each person can unknowingly directly and indirectly “influence dozens or even hundreds of people” to do the same. A key reason is that giving results in the release of oxytocin, “a hormone that induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others” per a study at the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University.[4] Consequently one small gift, even if it is not matched by a generous individual or corporation can still be magnified up to and over 100 fold!

Finally I quote French-born American Quaker missionary Stephen Grellet (1773-1855), “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” This is especially urgent when one considers how fleeting and transient our lives truly are since none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. Accordingly to build upon the relationships and interdependence of this digital age and enhance my experience here at Ipernity, I have formed a new group Socially Responsible Photos that will likely be limited and exclusive to the philanthropic photographer and hopefully inspirational to many. At times I’ll make my own contributions to do my little part in helping advance medical research, provide clean, safe drinking water, defend human rights to mention a few noble causes, so that hopefully the world can be a better place for all of us and future generations.


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