Life is about balance.
Should we care about the long-term future? Of course.
But as Keynes said “In the long term we’re all dead.”
We can’t ignore the plight of 711 million people living in extreme poverty.
My life mission is turning my portfolio into a long -term donation machine to eliminate extreme poverty and then poverty in general.
Each year I give more to Givedirectly and my local food bank.
I started with what I could afford, two years ago, starting with $1000.
This year I was able to give $4,000.
Next year around $7,000.
And within a few years over $100,000 per year including donating 6 meals to my local food bank for every meal I eat all year.
I’m helping people in my local community right away.
I’m helping dozens of people in Africa rise out of poverty right away.
And long term I’ll be able to help millions and then billions.
Why turn EA into a political like fight?
Charity today vs. longtermism?
Do both.
The problems are big enough that all EAs can make a difference.
I’m new to EA. I’m sure there are critics of the philosophy.
And I’m sure some of those are valid.
I don’t have time to get bogged down into symantic debates about what is or isn’t EA. What is or isn’t longtermism.
Should altruism be effective? Of course. I don’t think many people disagree with that basic principle.
Should we help people suffering today? Of course, I don’t think many disagree.
Should we ignore the long term future? I don’t believe many sane people think this.
In other words, just like a humans want similar things, all altruists want basically the same thing.
No philosopher is perfect. No one is a saint, or a prophet.
Peter Singer is an inspirational philosopher but not perfect.
Gene Roddenberry was an inspirational guy who created a vision for the utopia that has inspired millions.
But people who knew him also know he often failed to live up to his own vision in his personal life.
Let’s not get bogged down in tearing down the cheerleaders for various kinds of altruism or visions for a better future.
Let’s all just celebrate our common humanity and small part in traveling the long and winding road towards utopia together.
Life is about balance.
Should we care about the long-term future? Of course.
But as Keynes said “In the long term we’re all dead.”
We can’t ignore the plight of 711 million people living in extreme poverty.
My life mission is turning my portfolio into a long -term donation machine to eliminate extreme poverty and then poverty in general.
Each year I give more to Givedirectly and my local food bank.
I started with what I could afford, two years ago, starting with $1000.
This year I was able to give $4,000.
Next year around $7,000.
And within a few years over $100,000 per year including donating 6 meals to my local food bank for every meal I eat all year.
I’m helping people in my local community right away.
I’m helping dozens of people in Africa rise out of poverty right away.
And long term I’ll be able to help millions and then billions.
Why turn EA into a political like fight?
Charity today vs. longtermism?
Do both.
The problems are big enough that all EAs can make a difference.
I’m new to EA. I’m sure there are critics of the philosophy.
And I’m sure some of those are valid.
I don’t have time to get bogged down into symantic debates about what is or isn’t EA. What is or isn’t longtermism.
Should altruism be effective? Of course. I don’t think many people disagree with that basic principle.
Should we help people suffering today? Of course, I don’t think many disagree.
Should we ignore the long term future? I don’t believe many sane people think this.
In other words, just like a humans want similar things, all altruists want basically the same thing.
No philosopher is perfect. No one is a saint, or a prophet.
Peter Singer is an inspirational philosopher but not perfect.
Gene Roddenberry was an inspirational guy who created a vision for the utopia that has inspired millions.
But people who knew him also know he often failed to live up to his own vision in his personal life.
Let’s not get bogged down in tearing down the cheerleaders for various kinds of altruism or visions for a better future.
Let’s all just celebrate our common humanity and small part in traveling the long and winding road towards utopia together.