UO Players Donate Virtual Gold for Tsunami Victims

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UO Players Donate Virtual Gold for Tsunami Victims

Posted by Zonk on Tuesday January 4, 2005 @03:43AM from the if-you-don't-give,-will-the-dragon-next-door? dept.

J. R. Cook writes "A man by the name of Crazy Joe recently set up a site to start taking donations of virtual gold to convert them to real life gold on ebay. All proceeds made from the auctions are being sent to the Red Cross for help with the Tsumani fund in Asia. Crazy Joe has houses set up on every server in Ultima Online to accept the donations. You can take your character to the houses to donate your gold in-game. He's raised hundreds of millions of gold which in turn can be converted to thousands of dollars."

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Taxes? by WhatAmIDoingHere · 2005-01-04 03:44 · Score: 1

Can't you write off donations to the Red Cross on your taxes?

And if the people have credit cards to pay for their game subscription, why don't they just donate their real life money?

--
Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
1. Re:Taxes? by sporty · 2005-01-04 03:51 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Your argument has one flaw. You are assuming that if they donate, they won't play anymore. This is clearly not necessarily true. If someone will play regardless, they can produce extra contributions by turning their in-game items into more cash, possibly more than their subscription cost.
  
  --
  -
  ping -f 255.255.255.255 # if only
2. Re:Taxes? by WhatAmIDoingHere · 2005-01-04 03:57 · Score: 1
  
  I didn't assume that, actually. But feel free to put words into my mouth.
  
  What I meant was "If these people have credit cards to pay their subscriptions, why not also use the credit cards to donate money to the Red Cross directly?"
  
  --
  Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
3. Re:Taxes? by VendingMenace · 2005-01-04 04:01 · Score: 1
  
  maybe they do. Who knows.
  
  But any money that come in (no matter how) is good money for they peoples over there in tsunami land. I would say, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth." -- err i guess that doesn't quite fit. HOw about, "Don't insist on seeing the pasture that a gift horse was raised in." How is that?
4. Re:Taxes? by JabberWokky · 2005-01-04 04:01 · Score: 2
  
  A couple answers:
  a) You assume that they haven't already given through traditional means already.
  b) It is quite possible that they don't have any spare money. Some people playing UO do that as their only or almost only form of recreation. I know (or knew) people without cable or cell phones who play UO.
  c) It is a fun gimmick that is raising money for a charity that can really use it. Why are you upset about it?
  --
  Evan
  
  --
  "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
5. Re:Taxes? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 04:32 · Score: 1
  
  There are many people with limited income and some without credit card (buying gametime codes) who play UO. Students, retired, disabled, stay at home mums etc, etc.
  Till now we were able to generate additional donation of 3000 dollars. It's not a fortune, but it's something.
  Also I know for a fact that many people who donate their virtual possessions are also donating RL money, but not everyone is able to do so, unfortunately.
  Plus, apart from everything else, this action is giving us, the players, an incredible sense of unity and solidarity we thought was long gone from our game. This is our sweet reward :)
  
  Regards,
  Magdalene
6. Re:Taxes? by realdpk · 2005-01-04 05:02 · Score: 1
  
  "But any money that come in (no matter how) is good money for they peoples over there in tsunami land."
  
  Unless that money goes to the Red Cross, yeah.
7. Re:Taxes? by Rallion · 2005-01-04 05:20 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps because the in-game money means less to them, but can be given greater value by the people who buy it on eBay? They lose less, but donate the same.
8. Re:Taxes? by Cecil · 2005-01-04 06:33 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Do you have a credit card? I'm just curious, because you seem to have some fundamental misconception on how they work. They're not magical-money-cards (even though some people treat them like they are). Just because you have a credit card does not mean you can spend money on it willy-nilly. You are still subject to the normal budgetary constraints in your life. Just because these people are paying $15/month for a game, doesn't mean they can afford even another $1 as a donation. Maybe they can cancel their subscription, but that's pretty idealistic if you expect anyone to actually do that.
  
  Perhaps I misunderstood you, and you're referring to the people who are buying the 'gold' who could make the donation directly. If that's what you're suggesting, then you've missed the point: the people who are buying the gold aren't doing it as a disaster relief effort. They're simply BUYING the gold. They're paying real money, and they want gold for their character. It's a simple business deal. The people doing the donation are the people who are giving their in-game gold, for free, no strings attached, so this guy can sell it and get real money to donate. The people buying the gold probably couldn't care less where the money is going, besides out of their pocket.
  
  --
  Random and weird software I've written.
9. Re:Taxes? by nocomment · 2005-01-04 06:38 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe they don't have credit cards maybe it's their parents paying the subscibtion and there's a lot of kids donating their "gold"?
  Don't knock it. It's a good thing. Odd, I'll grant you that, but good.
  
  --
  /* oops I accidentally made a comment, sorry */
  /* http://allyourbasearebelongto.us */
10. Re:Taxes? by WhatAmIDoingHere · 2005-01-04 07:50 · Score: 1
  
  Aye, I do have one.. And if they can afford spending money on a computer, a high speed internet connection, the game at the store and the monthly game charge, I think they can afford donating more than $1.
  
  --
  Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
11. Re:Taxes? by Cecil · 2005-01-04 21:21 · Score: 2
  
  Ah, I see. You're living in idealism world. It's a lovely place. Unfortunately, for various reasons both just and unjust, the real world does not work that way. If you expect that all people must help those in more need than themselves (which on its face certainly seems like a very enlightened view), the result is communism. Wonderful in theory, but it simply doesn't work in practice. People are still very much base animals in some ways, and require direct positive feedback regarding their choices and actions. Communism provides no mechanism for this -- in fact, specifically rewarding any one person for anything is entirely contrary to the whole goal of equality for the masses. Once people refuse to participate in it, the system will break down.
  
  Is it fair that the tsunami killed all those people and destroyed so much? No, of course not. Is it fair that the people who weren't hit by the tsunami should be obligated to suffer as well, even something as small as not buying that next video game? Not unless you truly believe that the world should be communist. Generosity is about sending a gift of your own free will, not doing so because you feel obligated to. Life's not fair... but that's life, and that's how it is.
  
  --
  Random and weird software I've written.
12. Re:Taxes? by WhatAmIDoingHere · 2005-01-05 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, I get it.. you're a douche bag.
  
  I've heard about people like you.
  
  --
  Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
newsflash by BoomTechnology · 2005-01-04 03:50 · Score: 5, Funny

NEWSFLASH: US GIVES 10,000,000,000 GIL in AID, 300 DEXTERITY POINTS, and 5,000 HEALING POTIONS

--
Now then, Dmitri, you know how we've always talked about the possibility of something going wrong with the Bomb...
1. Re:newsflash by superpulpsicle · 2005-01-04 05:29 · Score: 1
  
  Omg I am laughing so hard, I am in tears.
2. Re:newsflash by Jerf · 2005-01-04 05:35 · Score: 1
  
  Typical US stinginess. 5,000 resurrection potions would be much more useful, but oh no, we need them for ourselves.
  
  Come on people, open up your backpacks and give!
UO being the only game that would allow this. by PhilippeT · 2005-01-04 03:52 · Score: 1

I dont know of any other MMORPG's that allow Ebay or other private auctions of items or money.

--
A psychopath can't tell the difference between right and wrong. A sociopath knows the difference - he just doesn't care.
What if you don't have the moneys? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 03:59 · Score: 1, Insightful

This allows you donate something even if you don't have much money or are just a kid on an allowance. Very good idea.
wtg there citizen of the earth by DrSkwid · 2005-01-04 04:07 · Score: 1

and you are sure that the Red Cross does no charity work in the US ?

--
There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
Re:So what. by aelbric · 2005-01-04 04:08 · Score: 2, Insightful

Look, these problems with foreign countries cannot be solved by force of arms. We need to take every opportunity to reach out within reason. Giving aid to millions of innocents struck by a natural disaster is the definition of humanity.

"Health economy, outsourcing, poverty, education" are nearly trivial at this point for people struggling for survival. I hope no one takes this attitude with you should you, God forbid, ever be in a similar situation.

--
nos laetus epulor qui would domito nos
Re:So what. by jonathan_ingram · 2005-01-04 04:08 · Score: 3, Insightful

Except for 'Big natural disaster', this applies equally well to the USA's own cinema-style terrorist attack on 11/9/2001 -- would you have been happy if the rest of the world had shrugged their shoulders and carried on as normal? And that was less than 4000 people. The tsunami has *killed* over 100,000, with many times more injured both physically and mentally.

It's the biggest natural disaster for many years. If it had killed on US soil we'd be hearing about it continuously for *decades*.

--
-- Help Digitise the Public Domain at DP.
Sri Lanka = Nazis by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 04:10 · Score: 0

Then there is Sri Lanka refusing aid from Israel. What a bunch of nazis.
1. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by MORTAR_COMBAT! · 2005-01-04 04:23 · Score: 1
  
  is this really true? (the refusing aid part, obviously they are not actual nazis).
  
  --
  MORTAR COMBAT!
2. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by GoofyBoy · 2005-01-04 04:30 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Sri Lanka and Israel;
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/41 30599.stm
  
  Sri Lanka and rebels;
  http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=sto ry&u=/ap/ 20041228/ap_on_re_as/quake_sri_lanka_ethnic_divide &e=54&ncid=
  
  India refusing outside aid;
  http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050102/asp/na tion/s tory_4202430.asp
  
  --
  The surprise isn't how often we make bad choices; the surprise is how seldom they defeat us.
3. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by @madeus · 2005-01-04 05:09 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  Then there is Sri Lanka refusing aid from Israel. What a bunch of nazis.
  
  Not just aid from Israel (which I don't think they would have any objection to per se, dispite the checkered past between the two nations), but aid from yltra orthadox religious group it should be said (not all that welcome amoung the largely Muslim population I don't imagine, indeed likely seen as rather antagonistic in their eyes).
  
  I'd have told them to bugger off too quite frankly (more extreme crusading religious zealots of any persuasion the world does not need - they are NOT short on volunteers), I'm sure they went into this just how antagonising they were being too. After all, Israeli been known open fire on Red Crescent ambulances attending to the wounded (including several instances captured on film, one by a BBC reporter), even resulting in the death of patients as ambulances were detained, so we know the hostility towards unwelcome aid goes both ways.
  
  Aid from a religious group is one thing (not something I'd ever fund through charitable donations, but stomacheable) air from an en extremist religious group is another matter entirely.
4. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by sl3xd · 2005-01-04 05:51 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  There's a world of difference from being a Nazi (or even any variety of anti-semite) and trying to be prudent.
  
  It's a bad thing for your country to reject aid workers because of their national origin (and in this case, religion).
  
  It's worse, however, if you allow those workers into your country-- and are unable to keep suicide bombers from attacking them and killing innocent people.
  
  A simple fact of the matter is that Sri Lanka is predominantly Muslim, which as a faith is largely benign, yet does seem to have the largest share of people who are willing to die as long as they take who they perceive as an enemy to their faith with them.
  
  It's just irresponsible to basically create a situation in which a local extremist can easily and cheaply attack some Israelis -- espescially since extremists are not noted for minimizing innocent victims. ('The victims were not innocent. They shouldn't have accepted help from [Israelis]'). Extremists tend to have an 'If you're not with us you're against us' mentality, leaving no room for anything in between.
  
  An attack on an Israeli aid group is probably the most likely in this Muslim country, and an attack on ANY aid group make other countries providing aid think twice about continuing support.
  
  Yeah, it looks really bad; but the alternative is quite likely to end up being worse.
  
  There are plenty of countries that need help, and many don't have anything against Israel. It's not like Israel won't be providing aid. I prefer this headline to 'Islamic extremists destroy Israeli aid station in sri lanka, hundreds dead'.
  
  Yes, it's unfortunate that humanity still carries this kind of hatred around. But pretending that it doesn't exist won't make it go away.
  
  --
  -- Sometimes you have to turn the lights off in order to see.
5. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by brkello · 2005-01-04 06:06 · Score: 1
  
  Only one of your links actually works...and all it said was that they had some objection over the military make up of the aid workers being sent to Sri Lanka from Israel. They are still accepting aid from them...so it looks like the OP was being overly dramatic.
  
  --
  Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
6. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by GoofyBoy · 2005-01-04 06:40 · Score: 1
  
  Sorry about that. I tested this post in previews so I did as much as I could. You could just google news for any article on these subjects. I just find it interesting that there is so much "politics" with this event.
  
  India refuse aid
  
  Sri Lanka and rebels
  
  --
  The surprise isn't how often we make bad choices; the surprise is how seldom they defeat us.
7. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 07:33 · Score: 0
  
  Sri Lanka is not a muslim country and does not have a muslim majority. The majority is Buddhist, followed by Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The breakdown will obviously vary from area to area, but I doubt any attack would take place.
8. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 09:35 · Score: 0
  
  Similarly, after 9/11, Giuliani rejected $10 million in aid from a Saudi Prince.
9. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by DAldredge · 2005-01-04 19:30 · Score: 1
  
  You are leaving out the fact that those Red Cresent 'ambulances' were being used to transport armed terrorists, weapons and explosives.
  
  But leaving that little bit out does help you 'prove ' your point.
10. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by @madeus · 2005-01-04 21:46 · Score: 1
  
  You are leaving out the fact that those Red Cresent 'ambulances' were being used to transport armed terrorists, weapons and explosives.
  
  I'm sure there is truth in that.
  
  However BBC have shown TV footage Israeli army also detaining both Red Cross ambulences / Medecin Sans Frontieres staff (with people inside the ambulences requiring attention). Distressed represantatives from both organisations pleaded to be let though but even after inspection the Israeli soldiers still refused. As a result, at least one of the organisations pulled out from the region perminantly. I'd note the soliders were pointing guns at the BBC camera crew and reporter too and forced them, at gunpoint, to stop filming.
  
  This was shown on BBC News 24, I'm sure it's possilble to obtain a copy from their library if you think I'm making this up.
11. Re:Sri Lanka = Nazis by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-07 05:06 · Score: 0
  
  You're leaving out reality, like always, fucking retard.
Re:So what. by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 04:12 · Score: 1, Insightful

I guess you opposed all the post 9/11 aid the US received from around the world then?
Re:So what. by MindStalker · 2005-01-04 04:19 · Score: 2, Insightful

Actually a force of arms will help. Believe it or not, if the benevolent countries did not swoop in with aid and arms small not so benevolent groups would and try to take advantage of the sitution. These people need food,water,shelter and protection. The rebuilding they can take care of themselves, otherwise we would be putting them out a job if we did it all for them.
Convo with CrazyJoe by JNighthawk · 2005-01-04 04:26 · Score: 4, Interesting

Nihir Nighthawk: Great thing you're doing with the gold donations. If my UO account were still open, I'd give you what I have.
CarnivorousJoe: thanks for the kind words!
CarnivorousJoe: http://games.slashdot.org/
Nihir Nighthawk: Yep, that's where I heard about you.
CarnivorousJoe: my host may go down soon, so say hi to it now!
Nihir Nighthawk: It's responding fine to me, but you did make the front page, so we'll see how long it takes to fry :-P
CarnivorousJoe: haha
CarnivorousJoe: i warned my host
Nihir Nighthawk: they respond?
CarnivorousJoe: not yet. may call
Nihir Nighthawk: Maybe your host is more resilient than you think, it's still responding fine. By now, the server should be on fire.
CarnivorousJoe: ya they are awesome
CarnivorousJoe: but i like to cover the bases
Nihir Nighthawk: How much have you received so far? I didn't see it listed anywhere
CarnivorousJoe: http://www.crazyjoe.us
CarnivorousJoe: and go click on "Status"

He's gotten over 310 million gold, which amounts to a few thousand $USD. Assuming all of it sells, he'll have donated at least $5,000 to the Red Cross.

--
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'.
1. Re:Convo with CrazyJoe by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 04:31 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  This is Crazy Joe
  
  I lack the time to register.
  
  I love my host.
  
  Hey Happy DreamHost Customers!
  
  Just in case you don't read the newsletter, here's one thing you missed:
  
  For the month of December, all new shared hosting sign ups are getting
  TRIPLE the normal bandwidth allotment on their plans.. forever!
  
  That makes it:
  
  Crazy Domain Insane: 120GB/month!
  Sweet Dreams: 144GB/month!
  Code Monster: 192GB/month! MINE
  Strictly Business: 264GB/month!
  
  So now is as great a time as ever to refer people (and get $65 for it!).
  
  And don't worry.. we aren't leaving out current customers. ALL current
  shared hosting customers have been upgraded to those bandwidth levels
  immediately and permanently as well.. happy days!
  
  So I check my bandwith as of this morning
  
  Bandwidth / 2004-12-20 - 2005-01-03 (15 days)
  Domain (click for details) BW Throttling Web MB MB/Day Cycle Estimate
  
  crazyjoe.us (http) Disabled 4188.07 MB 279.205 MB 8655.345 MB
  sexy-geek.com (http) Disabled 2916.68 MB 194.445 MB 6027.805 MB
  mortellaro.com (http) Disabled 76.33 MB 5.089 MB 157.749 MB
  cowsmopolitan.com (http) Disabled 9.35 MB 0.623 MB 19.323 MB
  dontfuckingcare.com (http) Disabled 0.02 MB 0.001 MB 0.041 MB
  bewareofbitch.com (http) Disabled 5.08 MB 0.339 MB 10.499 MB
  lazyuniversity.com (http) Disabled 0.02 MB 0.001 MB 0.041 MB
  
  I think I'll be OK....I think. Hell. We'll see.
  
  Thanks for the publicity, but I MUST get back to Ultima Online!
  
  STRATICS ROCKS!
2. Re:Convo with CrazyJoe by JNighthawk · 2005-01-04 04:39 · Score: 1
  
  So he's used 4 gigs of 192, as of yesterday. Let's give 'em the ol' Slashdot one-two and take the site down!
  
  --
  Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'.
3. Re:Convo with CrazyJoe by Draknek · 2005-01-04 05:01 · Score: 1
  
  That's interesting - not so long ago I was wondering how well my site (on Dreamhost) would respond to a slashdotting.
  
  Encouraging that you're not having a problem, even though you don't seem to have any extra-large files.
  
  --
  Self-referential sigs do not a humourous poster make.
4. Re:Convo with CrazyJoe by Gio+Angles · 2005-01-04 11:41 · Score: 1
  
  Awesome idea, Joe.
  
  We played together a few years ago, back before you founded Scoundrels Cove. I'd gladly donate gold, but my account has been dormant for ages. Long live AAR!
  
  Maybe Galad can pull off another scam or two....y'know, for the Indonesians.
  
  Gio (AKA Gioman the disarm thief)
5. Re:Convo with CrazyJoe by Deekin_Scalesinger · 2005-01-05 16:56 · Score: 1
  
  Be nice to see Belan come out of retirement as well for a good cause..
  
  --
  "As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
Ebay won't like it by Fizzog · 2005-01-04 05:48 · Score: 3, Interesting

Ebay only allows charity auctions through 'MissionFish', and will pull any other auction that mentions charity contributions.
1. Re:Ebay won't like it by MBraynard · 2005-01-04 07:16 · Score: 1
  
  He doesn't have to mention that the gold lots are for charity in the post. Maybe just a link to his site that describes the program.
2. Re:Ebay won't like it by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-05 14:48 · Score: 0
  
  Yep they did, read his status. He's now doing auctions without mentioning the charity.
Blame the Palestinian government by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 06:21 · Score: 0

' After all, Israeli been known open fire on Red Crescent ambulances attending to the wounded '
This only started to happen after the Palestinian army began to use ambulances as military transport vehicles. If you want to blame someone, blame the government that militarized ambulances.
1. Re:Blame the Palestinian government by @madeus · 2005-01-04 21:59 · Score: 1
  
  This only started to happen after the Palestinian army began to use ambulances as military transport vehicles. If you want to blame someone, blame the government that militarized ambulances.
  
  That's quite widely reported of course, and given the very limited control the Palestinian authority have over some terrorists groups I should think it has happened (and is quite dispicable, and I'm sure the Palestinian authority could have done a lot more to prevent this).
  
  It's not fair to blame only the Palestinian authority though, the soldier that pulls the trigger (and the authority that stands behind him) also bears some. Truthfully neither the Palestinian authority or the Israeli government are exclusively to blame for what has become their 'mutual self inflicted purgetory' (to quote The Economist).
Re:So what. by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 06:39 · Score: 0

What do the numbers have to do with anything?

There is a BIG difference between "the world reaching out to America after 9/11" and America reaching out to the world after the tsunami. In one, the world reaches out figuritively. How hard is it to light a candle, have your picture taken in your local newspaper and say "today we are all americans" compared to giving up cold hard cash? One is symbolic. The other is $350,000,000.

How dare you compare a few people around the world "feeling bad for america after 9/11" with America reaching out and pouring assloads of money into efforts to help other countries, including sending our doctors, military, navy carriers and food.

I'm not saying one should not care. But the entire time this tsunami thing has been in the news, I've still seen plenty of homeless teens downtown on the way to work.
Re:So what. by GoofyBoy · 2005-01-04 07:26 · Score: 2

>How dare you compare a few people around the world "feeling bad for america after 9/11" with America reaching out

The rest of the world did things for America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Yellow_Ri bb on

And, if I recall correctly, European countries and Israel offered their services in going through the building ruins for survivors, since they have experience doing that sort of thing.

--
The surprise isn't how often we make bad choices; the surprise is how seldom they defeat us.
Re:So what. by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-04 09:47 · Score: 0

What happend on November 9?
Red Cross by students · 2005-01-04 14:38 · Score: 1

Often, when the Red Cross recieves funds designated for a specific disaster, the money takes so long to process that arrives too late, and is permanently trapped in a bank account.

Or at least that is what a red cross volunteer told me.

--
Simon's Rock College
1. Re:Red Cross by DAldredge · 2005-01-04 19:26 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  No, a portion of the 'left over' money will be used to pay the millions that the Red Cross uses to pay the executives and to fund said execs perks. All the Red Cross expense records are public, so look it up for yourself and I think you will be suprised.
2. Re:Red Cross by RupW · 2005-01-05 04:00 · Score: 1
  
  the money takes so long to process that arrives too late
  
  In this case, though, there won't be a "too late". Yes, a lot of money needs to be spent in the short term on food and medical relief but much will be needed long term to rebuild homes and businesses to get the economies back afloat.
Re:So what. by DAldredge · 2005-01-04 19:28 · Score: 1

Fuuny, but the 'Force of Arms' that is the US Military is one the seen and has been described, by the UN no less, as worth its weight in gold. I mean we have an entire Carrier battle group helping.

It also helps keep the petty thugs from acting on the disaster and trying to overthrow any of the countries affected by this.
Re:So what. by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-05 07:53 · Score: 0

Honorable sir,
Your way of thinking will lead to the isolation of your country and you as a person.
From your words I guess that you are very, very young. You will be "lucky" enough to see the results of the isolation.