This publicity stunt will restore your faith in humanity. A video recorded in Spain, which is suffering a terrible recession, shows what people did when an ATM offered free money on the unenforced condition that they shared the money wth others.
The ATM — placed in different cities around Spain — had a simple message on its screen:
Get 100 euros ($130). Without card.
When people stopped and clicked Yes, the ATM responded: “But only if you agree to share it.” Again, everyone clicked yes. Then, the ATM asked if they needed any suggestions to share it. Many people clicked yes again. The ATM gave several options, like “hire a storyteller for the kids in your neighbourhood” or “buy nappies to give to a pregnant woman”. Then, the ATM gave the people an envelope with €100 in cash inside, asking them to share the experience, but with absolutely no obligation to actually share it. People could just get the money and use it in any way they wanted.
Here is where things get interesting: the majority of people actually shared the money with others, as you can see in the video. Nappies for women with kids, basketballs, tricycle, two theatre tickets for an old couple, tortilla española to share with pedestrians in a cold night… and so on.
It’s inspiring to see that people can be so good even in the face of adversity.
It’s a publicity stunt by Coca-Cola, but that doesn’t make it any less touching or significant. It shows why Spaniards may have something to look forward to — if first they install a guillotine and start robespierring every corrupt politician, banker and syndicalist responsible for the country’s ruin.