I’ve addressed the point on costs in other commentary, so we may just disagree there!
I think the core idea is that the EA ethos is about constantly asking how we can do the most good and updating based on new information. So the book would hopefully codify that spirit rather than just talk about how great we’re doing.
I find it easier to trust people whose motivations I understand and who have demonstrated strong character in the past. History can give a better sense of those two things. Reading about Julia Wise in Strangers Drowning, for example, did that for me.
Humans often think about things in terms of stories. If you want someone to care about global poverty, you have a few ways of approaching it. You could tell them how many people live in extreme poverty and that by donating to GiveDirectly they’ll get way more QALYs per dollar than they would by donating elsewhere. You could also tell them about your path to donating, and share a story from the GiveDirectly website about how a participant benefited the money they received. In my experience, that’s the better strategy. And absolutely, the EA community exists to serve a purpose. Right now I think it’s reasonably good at doing the things that I care about, so I want it to continue to exist.
Agreed!
I think there could be a particular audience for this book, and it likely wouldn’t be EA newbies. The project could also take on a lot of different forms, from empirical report to personal history, depending on the writer. Hopefully the right person sees this and decides to go for it if and when it makes sense! Regardless, your commentary is appreciated.
I’ve addressed the point on costs in other commentary, so we may just disagree there!
I think the core idea is that the EA ethos is about constantly asking how we can do the most good and updating based on new information. So the book would hopefully codify that spirit rather than just talk about how great we’re doing.
I find it easier to trust people whose motivations I understand and who have demonstrated strong character in the past. History can give a better sense of those two things. Reading about Julia Wise in Strangers Drowning, for example, did that for me.
Humans often think about things in terms of stories. If you want someone to care about global poverty, you have a few ways of approaching it. You could tell them how many people live in extreme poverty and that by donating to GiveDirectly they’ll get way more QALYs per dollar than they would by donating elsewhere. You could also tell them about your path to donating, and share a story from the GiveDirectly website about how a participant benefited the money they received. In my experience, that’s the better strategy. And absolutely, the EA community exists to serve a purpose. Right now I think it’s reasonably good at doing the things that I care about, so I want it to continue to exist.
Agreed!
I think there could be a particular audience for this book, and it likely wouldn’t be EA newbies. The project could also take on a lot of different forms, from empirical report to personal history, depending on the writer. Hopefully the right person sees this and decides to go for it if and when it makes sense! Regardless, your commentary is appreciated.