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[Rysith]

It probably sounds strange, but I cannot do something voluntary. There must always be exchange of goods and services. I must draw utility from the action or I won't do it, and i don't draw any utility from things than normally just make people feel good about themselves.

It's a reciprocal altruism system, though, not a pure altruism system. You donate so that the entire blood bank system continues functioning, and thus blood will be available when you need a blood transfusion. And trust me, when you need that blood transfusion you'll really want blood to be available. The soup and cookies are to get your blood volume and sugar back up afterwards, not to compensate you for your blood.

So it's true, you don't get any direct utility from donating. But you do gain utility from the system continuing to function, and you need to donate for that to happen. Of course, you could just be a leech on the system and take out without putting in, but that's bad too. Enough of those and the entire thing collapses and everyone loses.

[umiman]

Sniper: How much?

Rysith: Honestly, just like I don't believe in the "one vote makes all the difference" ridiculousness, I can't believe such an argument for blood drive. Sure, I might need blood one day, but the probability where that one day comes and there isn't any blood available for me is nonexistant. This is because there are plenty of good samaritans like yourself pumping out that liquid in the event that I ever need it. I am also rich enough to be able to procure blood and lacking enough in morals to procure blood in nonlegal ways. So it's not really a concern of mine.

Hehehe.

We all work in different ways and "caring" isn't a trait I have. I understand that plenty of other people need blood, that there is probably going to be a blood shortage in the near future thanks to the prolific nature of medicine nowadays and an excess of people seeking it, but it's still irrelevant to my personal concerns and, as selfish as it sounds, doesn't enter into my personal utility function.

I'm sure everyone else here is tired of me saying this, since a lot of guys here know how I work, so you'll just have to accept it. Some of us are just born "evil". Though, like I said, I'll gladly do it if they gave me something better to eat.

[PTTG??]

Well, just got back.

I put in a special note so they don't give mine to anybody named Umiman... bwa ha ha ha.

[Heron TSG]

Okay, seriously, why is there a 120 lb weight requirement for having blood drawn?

[Rilder]

I'm fat so I could probably donate alot of blood. 

Should really do so some day I need money.

[Rysith]

Okay, seriously, why is there a 120 lb weight requirement for having blood drawn?

It's about blood volume more than anything else. They need to take a full pint, and they have to be able to take that without having you either pass out on the table or pass out as you stand up from the table.

Passing out on the table is bad because then they have to stop taking blood, and if they have to stop before they have the pint they have to throw the partial collection away, since they can't mix it with other blood. Passing out as you stand up is bad for the people in the waiting room, many of whom are already apprehensive about this whole "stick sharpened tubes into my arms and draw my Precious Bodily Fluids out" thing. They would rather not take your blood than risk two people waiting to give blood get queasy or nervous (and thus have a painful blood donation experience) seeing you have trouble with it.

[Heron TSG]

True, I suppose. Maybe it wouldn't be such a good Idea for me to donate blood then, at the moment...

[Akroma]

blood, just like skin and your liver, is an organ. a pretty liquid organ, but an organ nevertheless.

removing parts of my organs with a needle is an act of vicious violence. and that I get a cookie at the end of it turns it into something very macabre, like a horror movie that may only be shown after midnight

[Armok]

blood, just like skin and your liver, is an organ. a pretty liquid organ, but an organ nevertheless.

removing parts of my organs with a needle is an act of vicious violence. and that I get a cookie at the end of it turns it into something very macabre, like a horror movie that may only be shown after midnight

...which is as good an reason as any to do it.

[mattyb3]

I would love to give blood, but sadly i am unable to as i have myalgic encephalopathy. 

 I am on the organ donor register, however.

[Yanlin]

Over here in Israel, you gotta be 18 to donate blood.

I plan to donate regularly. All the extra blood my system has to generate will burn some calories along the way.

Not to mention make me tougher. Remember, it's harder to kill somebody who suffered than somebody who wore armor for his whole life and now isn't wearing armor.

If my system gets used to making more blood, it will easily compensate for blood loss. Making my recovery shorter and buying me precious seconds should I ever need a blood transfusion.

By the way, I'm AB+. Meaning I can take anyone's blood. No shortage for me. But I know there's lots of other AB's out there who will need blood. The blood bank should not waste far more valuable A, B or even O blood on people who could use the blood that AB's donated. Because when a B comes along, he can't take that AB blood. Nor can that O or A over there. But those 3 AB's can take it. It's better for them to have it and for the others to have their appropriate blood.

Keeps the stockpiles high.

In short, I'm altruistic and I really want to prove a point on how Atheism doesn't make me an evil puppy raping bastard.

(http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Archive/RapeTheDog)

[JoshuaFH]

I completely forgot that you were an atheist Yanlin, I'm an atheist as well, and I can't believe anyone buys into any of the stereotypes about atheists being apathetic jerks. No one knows me as a bad guy, but I still avoid telling others, just to avoid getting hassled unnecessarily.

And to Umiman, it's one thing to not give blood, but to rationalize that it's alright to purposefully avoid helping others with some half-assed broken logic... just doesn't sit right with me. Please reconsider.

I've given blood twice in my lifetime, each time free. The phlebotomists were kind and professional. The needles and transaction was fairly painless and relatively expedient. The drinks and cookies were, of course, delicious.

I'd recommend that anyone that meets the criteria, and doesn't have a hard occupation that requires them to have all their blood for concentration purposes, to give blood. Especially the O-'s!

also, @Sofy: I KNOW you need that blood to make that frankenstein looking monster you have planned! For the love of all that is holy, don't give that thing life! It is not for us mortals to give life to such abominations...

[umiman]

I've "donated" blood though, I've never said I never have. Just not in this country.

[Gunner-Chan]

Josh, you silly. I just wanna drink it.


I have given blood though, I don't do it often however as I end up needing to sleep the rest of the day off.

[ousire]

i recall that there was a blood drive going in my school a few months before summer vacation. they had posters everywhere about it, some of em were pretty funny. like the picture of a blood drop-man in a ferrari. then again, there was also the pic of nothing but a big splatter of blood all over the page, with the words 'blood drive' above it. that one was creepy as hell o_o

i always feel like i should donate blood for the better good, but i dont even know my own blood type. I also have a horrible phobia of all thing needley near my veins.