Pay it forward

----The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of third party beneficiary in which a creditor who offers the debtor the option of "paying" the debt "forward" by lending it to a third person instead of paying it "back" to the original creditor. Debt and payments can be monetary or by good deeds. In sociology, this concept is called "generalized reciprocity" or "generalized exchange". A related transaction, which starts with a gift instead of a loan, is alternative giving.

History

The concept was described by Benjamin Franklin, in a [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Franklin_to_Benjamin_Webb letter to Benjamin Webb] dated April 22, 1784:

The term "pay it forward" was coined, or at least popularized, by Robert A. Heinlein in his book "Between Planets", published in 1951: quotation|The banker reached into the folds of his gown, pulled out a single credit note. "But eat first — a full belly steadies the judgment. Do me the honor of accepting this as our welcome to the newcomer."

His pride said no; his stomach said YES! Don took it and said, "Uh, thanks! That's awfully kind of you. I'll pay it back, first chance."

"Instead, pay it forward to some other brother who needs it."

Heinlein both preached and practiced this philosophy; now the Heinlein Society, a humanitarian organization founded in his name, does so. Author Spider Robinson made repeated reference to the doctrine, attributing it to his spiritual mentor Heinlein.Fact|date=October 2007

The mathematician Paul Erdos, in one of his visits to Harvard University, met a promising math student on the verge of expulsion for inability to pay his tuition. Erdos paid the young man's tuition in full. Years later, the man offered to return the entire amount to Erdos, but Erdos insisted that the man rather find another student in his situation, and give the tuition to him. [cite book
last = Hoffman
first = Paul
title = The_Man_Who_Loved_Only_Numbers
publisher = Fourth Estate
year = 1999
isbn = 1857028295 ]

In 2000, Catherine Ryan Hyde's novel "Pay It Forward" was published and adapted into a Warner Brothers film, "Pay It Forward". In Ryan Hyde's book and movie it is described as an obligation to do three good deeds for others in repayment of a good deed that one receives. Such good deeds should be things that the other person cannot accomplish on their own. In this way, the need to help one another can spread exponentially through society, creating a social movement with the goal of making the world a better place.

The idea of the book has been championed in real life by the Pay It Forward Foundation. The Foundation focuses on bringing the idea of paying it forward to school age children, parents, and educators. The simple idea of doing good works for others to repay the good that has happened to you is one that can easily be conveyed to children and encourages them to be socially aware and take a role in making the world a better place.Fact|date=November 2007 The main character of the book was a 12-year-old child, thus giving other children someone they can relate to.

In October 2005, Syracuse University's Residence Hall Association began a Pay It Forward campaign on campus. It spread on campus rapidly, and was noted for entering mainstream Syracuse society as a result.Fact|date=November 2007 Many other schools have now begun campaigns such as this as well.

On October 26, 2006 Oprah gave her audience a challenge to Pay it Forward, giving 300 audience guests $1,000 USD on a debit card and a camcorder to record the acts of kindness they did. The rules of the challenge were very specific, the money had to be spent within one week and could only be used to help charitable organizations or an individual person but not a relative.

References

ee also

* Reciprocity (social psychology)
* Reciprocity (cultural anthropology)
* social responsibility
* gift economy

External links

* [http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/ Pay It Forward Foundation]
* [http://www.pif.org.uk/ Pay It Forward UK]
* [http://pifaustralia.org/ Pass It Forward - Australia]
* [http://www.heinleinsociety.org/ Heinlein Society] - Note the mission statement on the main page.