When I was a kid, the toll to cross the Bay Bridge was one dollar. We used to pay for the people behind us, whenever we could. One day someone paid for us! Now the toll is too much for this kind of spontaneous altruism.
Then, someone gave me $100 to give away and I’m keeping four dollars to pay for the person behind me. The rest I’m giving away, with a postcard so the recipient can tell someone how they gave the $5 away.
This is doubly good. Because the only thing better than the person in front of you paying the toll – is getting real mail.
altruism 