On the particular example of ordering meals, I think some easy to prepare meals or basic things like (store-bought) hummus and veggies are actually about as much work as ordering food from a restaurant, sometimes less. You can get grocery delivery ahead of time. People ordering meals may be rationalizing luxuries or not having to think about food until they’re hungry, or they just aren’t aware that there are very quick cheaper options.
Edit: I suppose there’s a separate question of whether eating food you enjoy more makes you more motivated and productive.
Also, is the Long-Term Future Fund or the Infrastructure Fund granting all the donations it receives? If so, it doesn’t seem very reasonable to me to believe that ordering meals to save a few minutes or for your own enjoyment is a better use of money than their marginal grants for a longtermist supporting the same causes.
If you’re in such a special position that these meals are justified, then I think you should probably have a personal assistant. If your employer or these funds aren’t willing to pay for one for you (and you can ask/apply to check!) or to pay you enough to afford one yourself, then that’s good evidence that others with relevant expertise evaluating your work do not think you’re in such a position.
Thanks for writing this!
On the particular example of ordering meals, I think some easy to prepare meals or basic things like (store-bought) hummus and veggies are actually about as much work as ordering food from a restaurant, sometimes less. You can get grocery delivery ahead of time. People ordering meals may be rationalizing luxuries or not having to think about food until they’re hungry, or they just aren’t aware that there are very quick cheaper options.
Edit: I suppose there’s a separate question of whether eating food you enjoy more makes you more motivated and productive.
Also Huel
Also, is the Long-Term Future Fund or the Infrastructure Fund granting all the donations it receives? If so, it doesn’t seem very reasonable to me to believe that ordering meals to save a few minutes or for your own enjoyment is a better use of money than their marginal grants for a longtermist supporting the same causes.
If you’re in such a special position that these meals are justified, then I think you should probably have a personal assistant. If your employer or these funds aren’t willing to pay for one for you (and you can ask/apply to check!) or to pay you enough to afford one yourself, then that’s good evidence that others with relevant expertise evaluating your work do not think you’re in such a position.