When did they say these were much less cost-effective?
I asked them! The website does now make it clear, I think, that they think policy options are best, though some of that is a recent change, and the language is still less effective than I’d like.
What do you mean by it being justified? It looks like you mean ‘does well on a comparison of immediate impact’, but, supposing these things are likely to be interpreted as recommendations about what is most cost-effective, this approach sounds close to outright dishonesty, which seems like it would still not be justified. (I’m not sure to what extent they are presenting them that way.)
You’re right that I meant “does well on a comparison of immediate impact” here, but your second point is, I think, really important. Having said that, while it’s worth thinking about I don’t think the current presentation of the difference between offsetting and policy intervention could be fairly described as “dishonest”. I think it is clear that GG thinks policy is more effective, it’s just that the size of the difference is not emphasised.
I agree that, even in worlds where it produce the most immediate good from a donation perspective, presenting two options as equal when you think they are not is dishonest, and not justifiable. I don’t think Giving Green has ever intended to do that though.
In terms of CATF vs Sunshine, I had initially suspected that it might be the case that they thought CATF was much better but that Sunshine was worth including to capture a section of the donations market which broadly likes progressive stuff. I agree that this would not be acceptable without a caveat that they thought CATF was best. Having spoken to them, I don’t think this is the case (and Dan can confirm if he’s still following the thread); I think they genuinely think that there’s no difference in expectation between CATF and TSM. I strongly disagree with this assesment, but do believe it to be genuine.
I asked them! The website does now make it clear, I think, that they think policy options are best, though some of that is a recent change, and the language is still less effective than I’d like.
You’re right that I meant “does well on a comparison of immediate impact” here, but your second point is, I think, really important. Having said that, while it’s worth thinking about I don’t think the current presentation of the difference between offsetting and policy intervention could be fairly described as “dishonest”. I think it is clear that GG thinks policy is more effective, it’s just that the size of the difference is not emphasised.
I agree that, even in worlds where it produce the most immediate good from a donation perspective, presenting two options as equal when you think they are not is dishonest, and not justifiable. I don’t think Giving Green has ever intended to do that though.
In terms of CATF vs Sunshine, I had initially suspected that it might be the case that they thought CATF was much better but that Sunshine was worth including to capture a section of the donations market which broadly likes progressive stuff. I agree that this would not be acceptable without a caveat that they thought CATF was best. Having spoken to them, I don’t think this is the case (and Dan can confirm if he’s still following the thread); I think they genuinely think that there’s no difference in expectation between CATF and TSM. I strongly disagree with this assesment, but do believe it to be genuine.