TP: I'm not picking on you particularly RAF but the words "gives you the feeling that you are usefull" make me question whether this is altruism or not. I really wonder about what really motivates people. Is it their desire to help others as a sole motive or is there an ego-based need that is asking to be filled. Do we help others, express love, show affection, etc. for the other or is it because it makes us feel better about us?
tall penguin
Ego can help (but who cares when it helps) it'sabout being a solution (you can / you do : and it satisfies you) Now if any ask for his/her name to be in the dictionnary for that (for instance) well I guess it's ego based and of course have nothing to do with altruisme but Egotisme.
There are some situation I just do not react ... just because I know I can't offer the solution espected or needed or I'm just not able to.