Hugh Hefner recently saved the Hollywood sign from destruction, putting $1 million of his own money toward extending the public Griffith Park into the private land where the sign currently resides.

During the fundraising for this project, a California leader stated that, "If we can't save the Hollywood sign, what can we save?"

Well, specifically with Hefner's partial contribution, 10,000 Africans from malaria.

No, I'm not trying to be a jerk. I want the Hollywood sign up, too. I really do. It's awesome. I loved seeing it when I made my cross-country road trip to California during college. It was awesome. It was momentous.

But I want to be honest with myself here. Would I rather that sign be up than providing 10,000 Africans with malaria nets?

God, I hope not. And if I use this same economic logic with my own expenditures, I don't know what will happen. But, I have to start thinking that way. Because it's reality.