In a really nice gesture, ringtone provider Zaptophone has launched a fund raising campaign to help victims of the Asian Tsunami Disaster, enabling US mobile users to download a «Tsunami Aid Ringtone» to their cell phones.
Four participation levels are available - according to the ringtone you select - which are national anthems - ($2.00, $4.00, $6.00, and $9.00).
Proceeds go to UNICEF tsunami relief efforts, providing emergency health kits, medical supplies, water purification tablets, and shelter for children.
DOWNLOAD
Thailand National Anthem ($2.00)
India National Anthem ($4.00)
Sri Lanka National Anthem ($6.00)
Indonesia National Anthem ($9.00)
Comments
@ 13:26
the interesting thing i think is that folks who purchase a ringtone as a form of philanthropy can wear their genorisity on their sleeve like a methaphorical “aids ribbon” or “i voted” sticker.
what more abtrusive way can you announce your charity to the world than your ringtone blaring the indonesian national anthem. it creates the proper social context for giving:
one in which the giver can accrue the appropriate social rewards for his or her selfless behavior and set a positive example for others engaging in a cooperative exercise that in a more strict sense might be considered against ones interest.
thanks for listening…
@ 17:48
An interesting thought James, however it presupposes that the general public would recognise the national anthems of Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka or India for it to be effective. It may mean that the bearer, who understands the significance, still gets a warm and fuzzy feeling, but to the general public, unless the unfamiliar tune prompts them to ask the bearer what the significance is, I think it would just wind up as another ring tone.
That said, I fully support any initiative that will get money and aid to the effected countries. Give ’til it hurts.
@ 11:46
As do, I. I hope that didn’t sound to callous before.
(me humming the thai national anthem. that’s how it goes right?)