# Requests for SDMB financial assistance

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/requests-for-sdmb-financial-assistance/622125>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [May 16, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/requests-for-sdmb-financial-assistance/622125 "2012-05-16T18:31:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/requests-for-sdmb-financial-assistance/622125/21 "2012-05-19T04:58:19Z")

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> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#):
>
> This is a tangential question, but what are the rules for asking for money regarding a type of “kickstarter” project?
> 
> I don’t have an idea for one, so it has nothing to do with me personally, but I’m just curious.

I would think that we would approve such requests, though we haven’t had one that I recall … yet.

Let’s see us get one and we’ll consider it – will probably have to run it by Ed first, though. Worst thing he could say is “no.” So bring it on!

I love the idea of kickstarter – this was one of my favorites –

[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/821242145/lettermpress-a-virtual-letterpress-on-your-ipad](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/821242145/lettermpress-a-virtual-letterpress-on-your-ipad)

🙂

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**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/requests-for-sdmb-financial-assistance/622125/22 "2012-05-31T00:32:58Z")

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> [@srzss05](#):
>
> Even so, there is a chance that something will slip through, and even if it doesn’t how can a verification hurt? As I facetiously said above, if it were up to me there wouldn’t be any of those threads in the first place, but if they are allowed, then there should be some sort of “stamp of approval” on the post themselves.

I think this completely misses the point. The mods have told us that they get the same story from the person “in need” that we do, and they have no way to independently verify any claims about the level of need or desperation. If anything, a note from a mod would give a _false_ “stamp of approval” to a thread they can’t validate.

In fact, I have to wonder why permission is required _at all_, given the mods have no real tools to determine whether to approve a request or not. I would like to know what criteria they use to grant or deny approval. I presume it has something to do with the longevity and reputation of the poster, and whether the mods think the reason for the request is valid. We just all have to realize that, just like any other place on the internet, we are getting a story that may be completely true or completely false, and use our own judgement and take our own risks.

Personally, I think if Bill Gates showed up and asked for financial support for his wife’s breast implants, it would be a highly entertaining thread, aside from the shaky rationale for the request.

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**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/requests-for-sdmb-financial-assistance/622125/23 "2012-05-31T01:59:31Z")

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Situations in the past have tended to be of a nature and asked by such people that other people wanted to help.

Chique (god rest her) comes to mind. Nobody said to her “prove to us you have a brain tumor.” They said, “what can I do for you?”

People have contributed to other situations as they saw fit. Much help has been given, much relief has been provided.

That’s not a bad thing.

Could we have been fooled? Yeah. But I think these have been 100% legit, sadly so in some cases.

In all cases contribution has been totally voluntary. If you feel the need to help, all right then. If you don’t, that’s fine too.

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