Kevin Bridges

In the article Serve or Fail, Mr. Eggers uses broad generalizations based on his experience as the basis of an argument to support a mandated “service requirement” (Eggers) for college students. Undeniably, a work-force of more than “two million volunteer hours a year” (Eggers) could be a blessing to many communities. However, any action forced on another is inherently unethical and against the very freedoms our country was founded on. Forced philanthropy on college students is a narrow solution when compared to the collective potential volunteer force this country has to offer.

I admire Mr. Eggers for spending his time at the University of Illinois learning to play games. Unlike him, the majority of students that I have come into contact with do not live in such a lackadaisical environment. The demands of every day life in this society are substantial for students who also have to support themselves, and possibly kids, while pursuing an education. It may be reasonable to require a student to pay the money they do for their education, but it seems completely unreasonable to require them to become servants of the state in exchange for an education.

Admittedly, by focusing on the concept of exemptions for students “who tend to be transient and who generally have considerable family and work demands” (Eggers) the article attempts to instill in the reader that maybe the idea isn't so bad and can be worked with to meet exceptions. Mr. Eggers focuses on low time commitments to further sugar coat the issue. Similar tactics were used by the Expressway Authority in Orlando, FL when they wanted to build a new toll road. Initially, it was a small road that you could go around until the tolls had paid for the construction and the toll booths were removed. Now the sprawling complex of toll roads in the Central Florida area is overwhelming. As time passed, the idea that the tolls would one day be removed was eroded into obscurity. Forced Philanthropy offers the same type of erosion of our basic freedoms.

Mr. Eggers uses examples and makes points based on the experiences he had during his life. He has spent his life living in a financial bracket most college students I know can not achieve. Eggers comes from a wealthy family that lived in an expensive suburb outside Chicago. His parents both left this world while he was 21 leaving him a large inheritance (Brother Knows Best) which lays the foundation for his arguments. It seems natural that he would conclude most college students need “nudging the university might have provided” (Eggers).

In contrast, I grew up dealing with a different set of circumstances. My parents wanted to send me to college, but were divorced and not financially capable of doing so. I spent my college years trying to make a name for myself in different endeavors that removed me from attending college. My life was not spent in poverty, but it did give me a different perspective than the one presented by Eggers. Instead of basing my viewpoints on other college students in similar circumstances, I can base mine on a diverse range of people with nothing more than circumstance in common.

I disagree with Mr Eggers statement, “College students are, for the most part, uniquely suited to have time for and benefit from getting involved and addressing the needs of those around them” (Eggers). Perhaps we should focus on teaching the benefits of taking an interest in helping others at an early age. The same profound effect “Meeting a World War II veteran who needs meals brought to him” (Eggers) would have on a college student would potentially be amplified on a younger person making a more significant impact in the decisions that person would come to make.

Expanding on the concepts provided by Mr. Eggers can be quite profound when viewed on a broader scale. Instead of earning a college credit, allow citizens to “invigorate the nation's nonprofit organizations, churches, job corps, conservation groups and college outreach programs” (Eggers) by earning a tax credit. According to the CIA World Factbook, the United States is comprised of 200,436,329 Americans between the ages of 15 and 65 (The World Factbook). Following Mr. Eggers model would gives us “more than 6 million able-bodied young people at the ready” (Eggers). He points out that “Even with a modest 10-hour-a-year requirement (the equivalent of two mornings a year) America would gain 60 million volunteer hours” (Eggers). In order to meet the same numbers it would require the same time commitment from approximately 3% of the American population between the ages of 15-64.

The motivational factor used by Eggers is college credit. Unfortunately, to most Americans, a college credit does not compare in value to cold hard cash. Most Americans that I know would jump at the opportunity of saving money at tax time. Using simple logic, it would stand to reason that Americans with more money and higher tax liabilities would become the most motivated to perform additional volunteer related activities. Ironically, those are truly the people most suited to being able to help.

Mr. Eggers concludes his essay with several what if's that become small and trivial when compared to the collective power of the citizens of this country. What if the sentiment of helping others was echoed across the entire country instead of just the colleges? What if a person could spend a few weekends a year in exchange for keeping more of their hard earned money to benefit their own lives at the same time? What if writers were capable of stepping away from the slanted banter and rhetoric used in essays like Serve or Fail and become truly focused on making a lasting change?

Forcing a subset of a specific demographic to perform volunteer duties, while noble in concept, neglects the larger impact an entire nation could have. If volunteer efforts can be expanded by rewarding people, then focus on rewarding everyone, but allow them the respect of being able to stand up for themselves and participate. The age old adage, “You can attract more flies with honey than vinegar” promptly comes to mind.
Works Cited

Benfer, Amy. “Brother Knows Best.” Salon Mothers Who Think. Feb. 2002. http://archive.salon.com/mwt/feature/2000/02/22/eggers/index.html (8 Oct. 2006)

Eggers, Dave "Serve or Fail" The New York Times 13 Jun. 2004

“The World Factbook” Central Intelligence Agency Oct. 2006 https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html (8 Oct. 2006)