Honesty rewards this student with this camera experiment

I think a big part of it was that he left it amongst HIKERS.

Hikers are almost universally good people.

delightful

I've had some rather horrible encounters with people of late out in the general public. Some of these people I've had run-ins with would probably have just smashed the camera for the hell of it. I don't think it has anything to do with economic conditions but with general overall character.

However, I think location plays a key. When going somewhere like a museum, nature trail, space shuttle launch, etc. I regain hope for humanity with the people I meet.

Thanks. This story made me feel good rather than the mind numbing sadness and hopelessness that most news inspires. I like to believe that most people are decent when given the chance. I always love it when someone proves it to be true every once in a while.

I found an iphone in the back of an NYC cab and mailed it back to the owner. He offered a reward, sent the check and I shredded it.

why is it that dishonest assholes never DO hike the appalachian trail?

do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you.

and more importantly, don't forget to believe in humanity

This is a great example of behavior affected by economic disparity. Generosity can exist when people have the economic means to return the camera. If the person who finds the camera cannot afford one, chances are they won't return it. In fact, they'll see it as a gift from whoever their god is.

There still exists an honor among men.

this isn't an experiment but... people have the capacity for much more than given credit for- if you expect wonderful things you will be let down less often in my experience. i have left my wallet in 2 different cabs in NYC and both times they were returned with nothing missing. i am not saying that this is everyone but it doesn't help to assume everyone sucks like "iamaman" says.

the other day i lost my pair of spy sunglasses (approx. $130) and my stomach dropped. i went to the lost and found before i left and to my surprise someone returned them. there is good out there still.

i wonder if it would have happened with a dslr...i wouldn't try it... but maybe thats why its soo sick

At least some of the people got creative with their poses. This is really cool.

This is so beautiful. Even though it's a cheap camera in a remote location coming into contact with only a certain demographic, the results are enough to confirm one's belief in not only the inherent good of mankind, but also his humor. You appreciate it for what it is worth, you know?

well this obviously depends on the worth of the camera or even environment.

Yeah, but those are mountain folk, hikers, campers, and probably an Eagle Scout or two. I'd like to see this little experiment in a night club or a train station.

not in this country. not near a city. i can only imagine what people here would do with it. "smash"

nice experiment... i would love to try something like that with a cheap camera

Aww! See, pepole can be nice!

very cool that they returned it to him, and even more awesome that they all took pics of themselves!!

I wouldn't really consider leaving a $5 once-use disposable camera behind as a test of how you can trust people these days. Call me a pessimist, but leave a decent $100+ camera up there and more than likely you'll get at most the film from it mailed to you but no camera.

Having said that, nice pictures that you got out of the experiment.

Kinda the same idea behind geo-caching. People leave items hidden near landmarks in caches. A link online provides vague clues to the whereabouts of the cache. After discovering it participants are encouraged to take and item and leave an item of equal value for the next person. After returning from the treasure hunt you go back to the website with either a photo of the cache or gps co-ordinates to verify the find. Some of the best examples of the trust system.

See , humans are not so bad . It's just that the messed up ones really get around . Except , they do not trouble themselves to climb mountains much . Too occupied with the man made power structures of the world .