Thanks for pointing that out. I agree it is something worth having in mind.
However, the moral weight could still be much lower than those of black soldier flies and silkworms, and terrestrial arthropods still dominate. Assuming the moral weight is directly proportional to the number of neurons, in which case it is 0.0361 % (= 4.70 μ /​ 0.013) the one of black soldier flies, and 0.235 % (= 4.70 μ /​ 0.002) the one of silkworms, the mean cost-effectiveness would increase/​decrease 353 % (assuming terrestrial arthropods have negative/​positive lives).
It is true I may have overestimated the rate of deforestation, but I also expect the moral weight obtained by direct proportionality to the number of neurons to be an underestimate, so I think the analysis can go either way.
I think it would be really nice if Open Philanthropy, Rethink Priorities, Wild Animal Initiative, Faunalytics or other looked into considerations such this.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for pointing that out. I agree it is something worth having in mind.
However, the moral weight could still be much lower than those of black soldier flies and silkworms, and terrestrial arthropods still dominate. Assuming the moral weight is directly proportional to the number of neurons, in which case it is 0.0361 % (= 4.70 μ /​ 0.013) the one of black soldier flies, and 0.235 % (= 4.70 μ /​ 0.002) the one of silkworms, the mean cost-effectiveness would increase/​decrease 353 % (assuming terrestrial arthropods have negative/​positive lives).
It is true I may have overestimated the rate of deforestation, but I also expect the moral weight obtained by direct proportionality to the number of neurons to be an underestimate, so I think the analysis can go either way.
I think it would be really nice if Open Philanthropy, Rethink Priorities, Wild Animal Initiative, Faunalytics or other looked into considerations such this.