A random act of kindness lifts spirits in London

lindyloo646

Nominee Member
Sep 10, 2008
84
9
8
Saskatchewan
A random act of kindness lifts spirits in London

From: World News - A random act of kindness lifts spirits in London

By Ian Johnston, msnbc.com

LONDON -- An apparently homeless man looks through a trashcan
for food. Many people in big cities like London would simply walk on by.
But not Lewis Dediara. The 47-year-old was cycling to Parliament Hill
park to fly a kite, when he noticed the “clearly hungry” man and decided
to help, the London Evening Standard reported.

He got off his bicycle and offered to buy the man food from a nearby
store. The encounter was captured by a camera Dediara wears on
his helmet after he was knocked off his bicycle twice by vehicles in
the past, the paper said.

“Are you hungry sir? ... Tell me what you want. Go and pick whatever
you like … I’ll buy it for you, get anything you want,” Dediara says to
the man.

'Is that all you want?'
The man picks up only a pint of milk and a bag of chips, and Dediara,
who posted the video on YouTube, is heard asking more than once,
“Is that all you want? You sure?”

The video, entitled "Always Help your Fellow Man," has gotten
more than 60,000 views since it was posted on May 13.

Dediara, originally from Nigeria, told the Evening Standard he was
“astonished” by the popularity of the film. "I saw this man standing
there - he was clearly hungry. When I saw him rooting through the
bin I couldn't just leave him there,” he told the paper. "I come from
a family where we are raised to help others when we see them
suffering. I should have bought him more than what he wanted.
Next time I see him I'll buy him a burger."

He added he had put the clip on YouTube because "sometimes
London is a place where people don't take the time to care for
others."

Comments added by people who viewed the video appeared to be
mostly positive.
"Thank you mr cyclist man ! seeing this give me hope in
humanity," one wrote. "That is good, we need more people
like you and I shall do the same given the opportunity!" said
another.

"One time outside a subway in canada some homeless
drug addict came to me pan handling in exchange to wash
my windows on my car. I didnt have cash so i bought him
a sub. Best feeling ever...," wrote a third.

There was, however, some cynicism.
"One side I feel good for what you did, another side of me asks the
question, would he have done that if not for the go pro [video] on his
head?" wrote one viewer.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
22,833
7,780
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
This is an interesting one. Though the cyclist dude might be perceived
as a bit of an attention *****, he still did a very good thing. What the
homeless guy picked out at the grocery store is interesting aslo:

The man picks up only a pint of milk and a bag of chips, and Dediara,
who posted the video on YouTube, is heard asking more than once,
“Is that all you want? You sure?”

The milk he'd drink immediately, and the bag of chips is light (as in portable),
calorie laden, and will keep without refrigeration. Canned goods are heavy, &
fresh fruit & veggies don't keep well for long in the heat on the street. A dude
feeding out of a dumpster is hungery. The guy in front of the liquor store
panhandling doesn't get that sympathy/empathy from me.

The Squeegee-Squad at intersections (usually wearing several hundred dollars
worth of clothing designed to look urban getto right off the shelf) need a swift kick
to the nuts.

Anyone else have an opinion on this cyclist and his helmet-cam, or the good deed
that I believe that he did?
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
22,833
7,780
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
Altruistic or Attention *****, I still think it was a pretty cool thing
that he did. Also interesting is the prevallence of Dash-Cam's &
the like now, but that's a different topic again, I guess.
 

Goober

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 23, 2009
24,691
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Moving
Altruistic or Attention *****, I still think it was a pretty cool thing
that he did. Also interesting is the prevallence of Dash-Cam's &
the like now, but that's a different topic again, I guess.

I lean towards DS on this - Should have turned it off- or cut it accordingly - no link to himself- then it would have that ..................... was needed
 

Goober

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 23, 2009
24,691
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So this doesn't strike you guys as a "feel good" news story?

Is the domonate piece in the story the buy'n the homeless guy
groceries or the helmet cam?

Why did a man of his intelligence not realize that random - mean no one knows who did it.

I am 51-49 on this -
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
22,833
7,780
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
Ah...

a·non·y·mous

   /əˈnɒnəməs/ http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.htmlShow Spelled[uh-non-uh-muhs] http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.htmlShow IPA
adjective 1. without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like: an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation.

2. of unknown name; whose name is withheld: an anonymous author.
3. lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction: an endless row
of drab, anonymous houses.

vrs

ran·dom (r
n
d
m) adj. 1. Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective: random movements.
See Synonyms at chance.
2. Mathematics & Statistics Of or relating to a type of circumstance or
event that is described by a probability distribution.
3. Of or relating to an event in which all outcomes are equally likely, as
in the testing of a blood sample for the presence of a substance.

Idiom: at random Without a governing design, method, or purpose; unsystematically:
chose a card at random from the deck.
 

Goober

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 23, 2009
24,691
116
63
Moving
Ah...

a·non·y·mous

   /əˈnɒnəməs/ http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.htmlShow Spelled[uh-non-uh-muhs] http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.htmlShow IPA
adjective 1. without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like: an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation.

2. of unknown name; whose name is withheld: an anonymous author.
3. lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction: an endless row
of drab, anonymous houses.

vrs

ran·dom (r
n
d
m) adj. 1. Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective: random movements.
See Synonyms at chance.
2. Mathematics & Statistics Of or relating to a type of circumstance or
event that is described by a probability distribution.
3. Of or relating to an event in which all outcomes are equally likely, as
in the testing of a blood sample for the presence of a substance.

Idiom: at random Without a governing design, method, or purpose; unsystematically:
chose a card at random from the deck.

Ron - I have spent my life looking for the good in people- forgiving many - even those that lied and ruined my career. But I would have done what he did differently- and I have done it so people did not know. Every person has pride, do not take that away
 

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
3
36
London, Ontario
Call me cynic, but filming the whole thing and posting on youtube makes me doubt any real altruistic motive behind his actions.

I'd have to agree with that assessment. I've got to wonder what the purpose of having a cam on his helmet in the first place was. Even if we can accept some innocent reason for that (aside of course from being ready, willing and able to find 'cool' things to post on YouTube) then the fact that he uploaded the video, I have to wonder why he did that. I can see if someone else had captured it on film and posted it, then that would be a whole different ball game.

Altruistic or Attention *****, I still think it was a pretty cool thing
that he did. Also interesting is the prevallence of Dash-Cam's &
the like now, but that's a different topic again, I guess.

I don't know if I'd call it a cool thing, I think it was a good thing, particularly for the hungry man. It's like, is he doing the right thing for the wrong reasons? I don't know, posting his "good deed" online just strikes me as narcissistic.

I'm glad the guy rooting through the trash got something to eat and it was a good thing that he bought him some food, but I question his motivations for 'showing it off' afterwards.
 

lindyloo646

Nominee Member
Sep 10, 2008
84
9
8
Saskatchewan
I posted this because I was surprised at the comments people on MSNBC. You folks are almost spot on with what the comments were there.
Here is my take: I think the "good samaritan" was just sending a message out (say reminder) to all other would be samaritans. I think we often "forget" or do not find the time to do these random acts.
He did the right thing, and maybe he does it every day for all I know; or maybe he has never done it before and never will again. But this time he put it out on the airways, I do not think it was for recognition and glory but to plant the seed of kindness.
I for one, do not care that he put it on YouTube.....I just care that he saw a need and filled it. I found it contagious and am thankful I did.
 

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
22,833
7,780
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
I'd have to agree with that assessment. I've got to wonder what the purpose of having a cam on his helmet in the first place was. Even if we can accept some innocent reason for that (aside of course from being ready, willing and able to find 'cool' things to post on YouTube) then the fact that he uploaded the video, I have to wonder why he did that. I can see if someone else had captured it on film and posted it, then that would be a whole different ball game.

(From the O.P.)

He got off his bicycle and offered to buy the man food from a nearby
store. The encounter was captured by a camera Dediara wears on
his helmet after he was knocked off his bicycle twice by vehicles in
the past, the paper said.

I wonder if the guy on the bike even thought about the cam on his helmet
at the time that he ran into this guy? Maybe, & maybe not....who knows...
 

tay

Hall of Fame Member
May 20, 2012
11,548
0
36
He did this on the 'spur' of the moment so keeping hid identity anon didn't enter the equation



Man buys entire Kmart store, donates everything to charity


“I grew up poor and I know what poor means,” Paynter said. “I see the women with the little kids who come in to me. They’re selling off their little gold chains, their silver chains, their little diamond rings, whatever they have left.”

Paynter is still glad he could help Winchester’s needy but he’s reluctantly rethinking his generosity now.

“There’s a problem with giving. I’m getting phone calls from all over the country from people wanting money who say they’re going to come see me. It’s actually gotten scary.”


http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1180437--man-buys-entire-kmart-store-donates-everything-to-charity?bn=1