The sad thing is that it seems to be people who are
actually poor who are most affected by this kind of sales pitch.
As is mentioned on https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Fundraising/Archive_6#S...! (you have to re-add the exclamation mark which HN breaks off for the link to work) the following was posted on the English Wikipedia Help Desk during the big 2021 end-of-year fundraiser:
----------
Dear "Good Folks" At Wikipedia,
First, allow me to sincerely express my gratitude for being one of the finest Web services provided. THANK YOU to eacxh volunteer that unselfishlessly donates their time to Helping make our world a better & more knowledgable/informed place to live.
Second, While I am a very low income Senior [ live in Gov't. H.U.D. Apt.], I do still try to contribute to certain causes. Wikipedia is 1 such Group. I believe that I have given Wikipedia small donations for about 3 years now. While I do not have much to give, It is important that You know we appreciate the great work you undertake.
I do, respectfully, need to point out 1 "process" that Wikipedia implements that "disturbs/upsets" me. I just, accidentally, got rolled over to Wikipedia on a matter I am researcing. The Wikipedia "overlay" writing asking for Donations said this was 4th time You have asked me.
THAT "NOTICE" MADE ME FEEL VERY "GUILTY/BAD"....... Right now, I have $18.00 in my bank account ! That's It !
Soon, I will get my only source of Income [ a monthly Social Security Check] & will try to make a donation at that time. While I do not mind your "Reminding" me that Wikipedia can use Donations, Please quit stating this is 1st, 2nd, 3rd time......you have aqsked !
Thank You & Best Wishes, Thomas — Preceding unsigned comment added by 104.33.228.209 (talk) 00:16, 14 December 2021 (UTC)
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Diff link: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Help_de...
A longstanding Wikipedia admin (from South Africa) commented:
"Taking money from Thomas and then making him feel guilty for not giving more, this emotional blackmail (dare I call it extortion?) is truly despicable! You owe all the Thomases an apology and a full refund. This banner campaign is doing a lot of reputational damage, shut it down.
Until now I was proud to be a Wikipedian. Dodger67 (talk) 20:20, 16 December 2021 (UTC)"
The fundraising is just getting a bit too professional – finding out what triggers people into giving (lots of A/B tests). Of course it would be okay to launch desperate-sounding messages if Wikipedia were actually short of money, but this is about maximum revenue growth for its own sake – which works best if people remain unaware of the Wikimedia Foundation's actual financial situation.
Keeping people in the dark was not the founding ideal of Wikipedia.
As is mentioned on https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Fundraising/Archive_6#S...! (you have to re-add the exclamation mark which HN breaks off for the link to work) the following was posted on the English Wikipedia Help Desk during the big 2021 end-of-year fundraiser:
----------
Dear "Good Folks" At Wikipedia,
First, allow me to sincerely express my gratitude for being one of the finest Web services provided. THANK YOU to eacxh volunteer that unselfishlessly donates their time to Helping make our world a better & more knowledgable/informed place to live.
Second, While I am a very low income Senior [ live in Gov't. H.U.D. Apt.], I do still try to contribute to certain causes. Wikipedia is 1 such Group. I believe that I have given Wikipedia small donations for about 3 years now. While I do not have much to give, It is important that You know we appreciate the great work you undertake.
I do, respectfully, need to point out 1 "process" that Wikipedia implements that "disturbs/upsets" me. I just, accidentally, got rolled over to Wikipedia on a matter I am researcing. The Wikipedia "overlay" writing asking for Donations said this was 4th time You have asked me.
THAT "NOTICE" MADE ME FEEL VERY "GUILTY/BAD"....... Right now, I have $18.00 in my bank account ! That's It !
Soon, I will get my only source of Income [ a monthly Social Security Check] & will try to make a donation at that time. While I do not mind your "Reminding" me that Wikipedia can use Donations, Please quit stating this is 1st, 2nd, 3rd time......you have aqsked !
Thank You & Best Wishes, Thomas — Preceding unsigned comment added by 104.33.228.209 (talk) 00:16, 14 December 2021 (UTC)
----------
Diff link: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Help_de...
A longstanding Wikipedia admin (from South Africa) commented:
"Taking money from Thomas and then making him feel guilty for not giving more, this emotional blackmail (dare I call it extortion?) is truly despicable! You owe all the Thomases an apology and a full refund. This banner campaign is doing a lot of reputational damage, shut it down.
Until now I was proud to be a Wikipedian. Dodger67 (talk) 20:20, 16 December 2021 (UTC)"
The fundraising is just getting a bit too professional – finding out what triggers people into giving (lots of A/B tests). Of course it would be okay to launch desperate-sounding messages if Wikipedia were actually short of money, but this is about maximum revenue growth for its own sake – which works best if people remain unaware of the Wikimedia Foundation's actual financial situation.
Keeping people in the dark was not the founding ideal of Wikipedia.