Incredible resolve, Steven. It’s rare to see someone—let alone a 14-year-old—grapple so squarely with how much good a single salary can buy. You’re right: a single $5 k donation to AMF plausibly saves a life, so every extra dollar you push toward the margin matters enormously.
I sometimes feel that EA discussions lean too far toward “Careful, you’ll burn out—dial it back.” Burnout is real, but the analysis often weights personal discomfort as if it were on par with someone else’s entire life. Even if an austere lifestyle shortens a career a bit, the extra years of near-maximal giving you do manage could still dominate the equation. The stakes are that high.
Keep refining the plan, of course—experiment with smaller pledges first, protect your health so you can give longer—but never lose sight of the basic arithmetic that inspired you. The world needs more people willing to do what you’re contemplating. I’m cheering you on.
Incredible resolve, Steven. It’s rare to see someone—let alone a 14-year-old—grapple so squarely with how much good a single salary can buy. You’re right: a single $5 k donation to AMF plausibly saves a life, so every extra dollar you push toward the margin matters enormously.
I sometimes feel that EA discussions lean too far toward “Careful, you’ll burn out—dial it back.” Burnout is real, but the analysis often weights personal discomfort as if it were on par with someone else’s entire life. Even if an austere lifestyle shortens a career a bit, the extra years of near-maximal giving you do manage could still dominate the equation. The stakes are that high.
Keep refining the plan, of course—experiment with smaller pledges first, protect your health so you can give longer—but never lose sight of the basic arithmetic that inspired you. The world needs more people willing to do what you’re contemplating. I’m cheering you on.
I completely agree with what you are saying, thank you for the comment!