Travel & Charity Update
Added 2024-09-01 14:40:32 +0000 UTCG'day all, brief update as promised.
Firstly - results of the charity poll are now locked, thank you for your participation. Given the split and number of votes I've decided the best approach is to split contributions proportionally across the causes in the remaining months of the year. I'll keep you updated on that.
So far I've resisted promoting specific charities on the channel despite the immense importance they have precisely because I get requests to do so roughly once a week and feel it would be impossible to fairly 'pick winners' in that respect. If you have any thoughts on this though, let me know, as I'm aware other channels have had success fund-raising for good causes.
I also need to flag I have travel planned again in October and again later in the year- and not just for a few days this time. I don't expect those trips to impact the release schedule, but they may provide opportunities for some slightly different defence economics content if you're interested - I'll announce further details and seek feedback shortly.
Finally - my Patreon message backlog is immense at this point, so I will be making an attempt to work through that this week and then try to stay more up to date. I really value the support you all provide, and want to reflect that with the speed at which I respond here.
All the best, and thank you again for your ongoing support.
Comments
Hope you stay safe on your travels and more defense economics is always welcome.
Stefanie Butts
2024-09-17 01:48:00 +0000 UTCReally appreciate everything you have been doing. If you end up missing a week or two of releases dont feel bad, we all deserve a vacation now and then. Id much rather you enjoy yourself for a week than stress on getting out a video.
Daniel Schwartz
2024-09-03 15:50:04 +0000 UTCHmmm. Brainstorming video ideas: Something I would be interested in seeing a video on is: Highlight the effects of all of the small-guy crowd-sourced intel and procurement efforts in this war. Logistics is thought of a government thing, but you've mentioned in passing the Amazon of drone specialty parts, and commercially available satellite intel that's analyzed by online groups. I've seen sites that claim to be crowd-sourcing ammo. It would be kind of cool to have more information about those things and their impact on the war, and even cooler to be a part of that impact. What is the impact of the civilian international community on this war?
Strawberry GS
2024-09-03 08:31:36 +0000 UTCUnderstood - I'll reiterate what I said at the end, we'd forgive you if you make a mistake (or at least I would.) You have built up a certain level of trust that if you do take a week to try to verify a charity or ordinance procurement program, and then recommend it, I would be willing to donate to it. If there is a US 501(c)3 charity which funds the organization so that the donation is tax deductible for us Americans, even better. I want to help, but I'm also very skittish about making international donations, because even if the organization I think I'm donating to is doing good work, it's not that hard for someone to set up a similarly-named fraudulent website and advertise it or link-farm it to get top billing from Google, so I've little guarantee my money is going to the right place. If someone like you talks to the people and is certain to put in the correct link to that organization, or makes a YouTube fundraiser for it, I'm more likely to donate. I suspect you do have a large number of followers who do want to help, but who need assurance it will be money well spent. I know this takes a lot of your time, but in terms of dollars per hour raised, it's likely time well spent because of the leverage you have.
Strawberry GS
2024-09-03 08:24:37 +0000 UTCFor EOD, I suggest MAG. I have looked into them; they seem fiscally responsible. I also found the dirt and still think they are worth the funds. I am not here to argue with people. If you have a different judgement of MAG, that is fine.
Chel
2024-09-03 04:39:58 +0000 UTCThis isn't directly related, but X4 and all but the Timelines DLC are currently on steep discount on Steam through September 9th. Thought some folks sround here, or at least on the gaming channel, may be interested since you've convinced me to buy it when it next went on sale just from showing it off.
Fulmir
2024-09-02 23:39:10 +0000 UTCThis is a really helpful perspective and one that aligns closely with my own - taking a risk with my own funds is one thing, recommending others do so is another. It's another reason I have been so reluctant to date.
Perun
2024-09-02 05:38:18 +0000 UTCAs a donor, especially if one wants to give a significant contribution, the most important thing is accountability -- is the money actually going where it is supposed to go? Or is it going to waste and graft? If you, Perun, personally are able to visit with charities either in person or via a credible carried-around zoom chat and observe the "boots on the ground" charitable work, talk with volunteers and people served, and make a back-of the envelope estimate that verifies that dollars received are dollars well spent, I'd love to see your recommendations. Dollars may be well spent in paying salaries: not everyone has to be a volunteer, especially for dangerous work! But salaries should be consistent with the charitable nature of the work. Without that level of verification, I'd prefer not to see suggestions. I've also seen crowd-sourced purchase of ordinance, and again, if it's been personally verified by you, I'd be interested in the link. Otherwise not so much. If you do get duped, I'd forgive you as long as you tried your best to do your due-diligence and let us know as soon as you realize it. Decoys exist. Do your best.
Strawberry GS
2024-09-02 04:35:05 +0000 UTCJust grab an All Blacks flag and fly that.
Kiwiruna
2024-09-02 02:56:55 +0000 UTCYou had me at: "....they may provide opportunities for some slightly different defence economics content if you're interested" No idea what this implies, but sounds interesting
Minion
2024-09-02 00:48:37 +0000 UTCSave travels Perun! I happy as long the donations go to those in need of help and assistance
Flavio Briatore
2024-09-01 23:49:36 +0000 UTCThe Perun Charity Index Fund! I agree, it does seem unfair to slide funds to one above any others; although I suppose even if the money is split, promoting or highlighting one at a time could still be useful.
Kriss Pang
2024-09-01 23:22:26 +0000 UTCIn perverse twisted sense I don't want the war to end - what will I do without my Perun analysis fix. Only if more people were as clearer thinkers as you. Thanks.
Ivan Dimitrov
2024-09-01 22:48:46 +0000 UTCAny and all defense economic PowerPoints by Perun are welcome!
Mike Winter
2024-09-01 20:40:31 +0000 UTCWhile I love the weekly fix of Perun insights, I'm more than happy to go without while you enjoy a well earned vacation. I suspect others have a similar attitude given the consistent quality of your content. It would be interesting to know whether you took an ongoing viewer hit on numbers from when you were unwell, or if your viewers stuck with you.
Guy Dudley
2024-09-01 17:21:24 +0000 UTCYour videos are enthusiasticly awaited each week, but we all (I hope) understand that life imposes itself into EVERYONE'S routine from time to time. We'll all still be here! Thanks for the heads up.
Bob Heitzman
2024-09-01 17:14:29 +0000 UTCWork at a pace that keeps your sanity intact. Limit the charities you entertain, that focuses the funds. Perhaps promise a year of support for a select number and then swap them out every year.
Kristian Reninger
2024-09-01 16:38:32 +0000 UTCI would love for you to pimp Ukraine Front Line. I am flying to Germany from the USA in 3 weeks to collect a truck and supplies which I will drive to Zaporizhzia and deliver to a front line unit. I am paying for all my travel expenses, including fuel for the truck, so that UFL has more $ for supplies. UFL tends to cater to less-well-known units that don't get as much recognition. Additionally, I want to thank you again for your content and support. Слава Україні! Героям слава!
pseudonym_here
2024-09-01 15:05:47 +0000 UTCIf you want suggestions, I think looking at the success of other channels picking a charity and promoting it will be very beneficial to the overall cause. Doesn't matter as much which one, as long as it is a trustworthy one.
Kridder
2024-09-01 15:01:50 +0000 UTCI think I speak for everyone in saying we trust your judgement and greatly appreciate your hard work. Keep it up mate!
Brian Reczek
2024-09-01 14:45:43 +0000 UTCKeep it up
Powernap
2024-09-01 14:43:16 +0000 UTC
