I have a significant concern that this response comes across as firefighting in response to the bespoke issue, with a very narrow focus on one incident rather than a wider review of cultural issues in EA.
I appreciate the decision was made by the EV board for EV in particular, but it is notable that this is probably the 4th major scandal in EA in 6 months, all of which have been troubling, and regularly involving senior figures in the movement. (Ftx, Bostrom email, Time article, now this). I am unaware of any other independent investigations ongoing.
It is far from clear that they are the last scandals which might hit EA e.g. what if more information came out from the Time, or if there was troubling information around the early vetting of FTX (I’ve seen that suggested as a rumour, I cant vouch for its reliability.)
These issues seem to require read across, reflection and significant action. But I’m not seeing the major transformation programmethat I would expect from other similar organisations/movements facing a barrage of scandals. I’ve seen multiple similar independent investigations in other fields I’m involved with, and their scope is normally far broader.
I confess that I’m not a regular commenter /forum reader and people who follow more closely may have a better view of work going on. That said, I think subjective perception does matter and suggests that EA at minimum faces a serious comms issue, and likely much more than that. (I am someone who’s followed EA for years and donated to EA charities for that time).
I believe there is an independent external review of EVF over the FTX affair, on top of a statutory inquiry from the UK Charity Commission on that and other issues (which is a big deal). The University of Oxford—Bostrom’s employer—is investigating him last I checked. Im not sure a separate EA investigation would add anything to that.
Today’s news is related to the Time article, as Owen was one of the people whose inappropriate conduct was mentioned. (I do hope the external investigation promised today looks at Community Health’s handling of sexual harassment and assault more broadly).
I have a significant concern that this response comes across as firefighting in response to the bespoke issue, with a very narrow focus on one incident rather than a wider review of cultural issues in EA.
I appreciate the decision was made by the EV board for EV in particular, but it is notable that this is probably the 4th major scandal in EA in 6 months, all of which have been troubling, and regularly involving senior figures in the movement. (Ftx, Bostrom email, Time article, now this). I am unaware of any other independent investigations ongoing.
It is far from clear that they are the last scandals which might hit EA e.g. what if more information came out from the Time, or if there was troubling information around the early vetting of FTX (I’ve seen that suggested as a rumour, I cant vouch for its reliability.)
These issues seem to require read across, reflection and significant action. But I’m not seeing the major transformation programmethat I would expect from other similar organisations/movements facing a barrage of scandals. I’ve seen multiple similar independent investigations in other fields I’m involved with, and their scope is normally far broader.
I confess that I’m not a regular commenter /forum reader and people who follow more closely may have a better view of work going on. That said, I think subjective perception does matter and suggests that EA at minimum faces a serious comms issue, and likely much more than that. (I am someone who’s followed EA for years and donated to EA charities for that time).
I believe there is an independent external review of EVF over the FTX affair, on top of a statutory inquiry from the UK Charity Commission on that and other issues (which is a big deal). The University of Oxford—Bostrom’s employer—is investigating him last I checked. Im not sure a separate EA investigation would add anything to that.
Today’s news is related to the Time article, as Owen was one of the people whose inappropriate conduct was mentioned. (I do hope the external investigation promised today looks at Community Health’s handling of sexual harassment and assault more broadly).