Well, 'social service' is definitely not a symbol of profanity but neither it can be plainly put as a divine and utter show of selflessness. According to me, whoever considers it as way to feel right about him/herself is guilty of spiritual embezzlement. One can give number of positives for what 'social service' is worth, but I can list few reasons why we should think beyond mere 'social service' in a mass movement sort of a situation.
- Social service has serious sustainability issues. Remember, it is not a policy!! It is not a stone in a mass movement!! It is not measured in terms of impact!! It is measured as righteousness on an individual's part. Essentially, it is mortal and bound to die in lieu of an individual's slack.
- Volunteer-ship usually lack passion. It lacks reasoning. It is more of an effort by an individual to feel joyous.
- "Hopefully, I will find time this weekend to help out with BLAH and BLUH...." - this is a very plebeian remark when an individual is committing for any sort of social service. I will not insult reader's intelligence to understand a passionate stakeholder's frustration who wants to get things done as professionally as any money making business will do. Thus, social service have almost become a luxury at individual's disposal affecting lives and social cause/s.
Now, to be fair to the subject in the discussion, it is not 'nothing' either. It has a potential to spur as an impactful solution to hazardous social problems. One just needs to think right - providing money to a poor student against drafting a process to support many students.
That is why 'social service', as good it is, does not impress me!!
