One of the biggest draws to the EA community for me — and something that’s kept me involved — is how much small-scale altruism goes on here. Unsurprisingly, a movement founded on practical altruism draws a lot of people who enjoy helping and actually care about providing good help.
This manifests in a bunch of ways. Two that come to mind: EA Global participants swarming me to help carry heavy conference items through a shopping mall when I was at CEA, and a bunch of cases where someone in the community encountered a personal issue and got massive support from their extended social network — here’s one example.
*****
I’ve met people who seem to get by without caring much about small-scale altruism (they are good at fixing their eyes on the biggest problems and attacking them relentlessly). But for many people, I think that small-scale altruism reinforces the bigger stuff. A habit of small good deeds helps you maintain your altruistic character, self-identity, and motivation.
That said, there’s no reason you can’t start working on the big stuff alongside the small stuff. Donations, self-education, career planning, and small good deeds can all be part of a balanced EA diet (no false pride required).
This was a nice little post!
One of the biggest draws to the EA community for me — and something that’s kept me involved — is how much small-scale altruism goes on here. Unsurprisingly, a movement founded on practical altruism draws a lot of people who enjoy helping and actually care about providing good help.
This manifests in a bunch of ways. Two that come to mind: EA Global participants swarming me to help carry heavy conference items through a shopping mall when I was at CEA, and a bunch of cases where someone in the community encountered a personal issue and got massive support from their extended social network — here’s one example.
*****
I’ve met people who seem to get by without caring much about small-scale altruism (they are good at fixing their eyes on the biggest problems and attacking them relentlessly). But for many people, I think that small-scale altruism reinforces the bigger stuff. A habit of small good deeds helps you maintain your altruistic character, self-identity, and motivation.
(Picking up some trash in my apartment complex was among the most satisfying altruistic things I’ve ever done, even though my donations do much more actual good.)
That said, there’s no reason you can’t start working on the big stuff alongside the small stuff. Donations, self-education, career planning, and small good deeds can all be part of a balanced EA diet (no false pride required).
Thank you for the supporting remarks! Glad you enjoyed the post.