Sam claims that he donated to Republicans: “I donated to both parties. I donated about the same amount to both parties (...) That was not generally known (...) All my Republican donations were dark (...) and the reason was not for regulatory reasons—it’s just that reporters freak the fuck out if you donate to Republicans [inaudible] they’re all liberal, and I didn’t want to have that fight”. If true, this seems to fit the notion that Sam didn’t just donate to look good (i.e. he donated at least partly because of his personal altruistic beliefs)
What do you mean that this donation strategy would be from Sam’s “personal altruistic beliefs”? Donating equally to both political parties has been a common strategy among major corporations for a long time. It’s a way for them to push their own agenda in government. It’s generally an amoral self-interested strategy, not an altruistic one.
In this case, it seems like a very good strategy for the world, too, in that it doesn’t politicize one issue too much (like climate change has been in the US because it was tied to Democrats instead of both sides of the aisle).
Thanks for the link and highlights!
What do you mean that this donation strategy would be from Sam’s “personal altruistic beliefs”? Donating equally to both political parties has been a common strategy among major corporations for a long time. It’s a way for them to push their own agenda in government. It’s generally an amoral self-interested strategy, not an altruistic one.
I read somewhere (sorry can’t remember where) that he only donated to republicans that were pushing longtermist things like pandemic preparedness
That’s a good point. I hadn’t thought about that. I’ve added your observations to that part.
In this case, it seems like a very good strategy for the world, too, in that it doesn’t politicize one issue too much (like climate change has been in the US because it was tied to Democrats instead of both sides of the aisle).