Thanks Dwarkesh for a fascinating, compelling, and insightful essay.
I share your hope that EA philanthropy will become more of a Schelling point for billionaires.
One key issue is that about 88% of billionaires are men. The percentage of self-made billionaires who are male seems even higher. So understanding the motivational psychology of men may be especially important in understanding how to nudge billionaires into EA.
Likewise, although young tech billionaires get a lot of media attention, out of the world’s 2,700+ billionaires, almost all are middle-aged or older, and the average one only became a billionaire in their 60s. So, understanding the motivational psychology of older men may also be especially important.
As you point out, the motivations for thymos, prestige, money, and direct impact, are important. True, but I think this is somewhat of a young man’s take on the psychology of older men. Old rich guys have typically been married once or twice, have a few kids, have some grand-kids, and are often quite focused on dynasty-building, succession issues, and legacy. What will keep their family safe, thriving, and prosperous? Who will run their businesses after they’re gone? What will be the main threats to their family, community, and nation in the future? What kind of world will their grand-kids grow up in?
This last question may be the most compelling entry point for introducing older male billionaires to EA considerations such as long-termism.
In my opinion, EA needs to think about communication tactics for expressing EA ideals, values, and strategies that are more compelling to rich older guys concerned about their reputational and dynastic legacy and their grand-kids’ well-being. Those communication tactics might not resemble those that are best for persuading 22-year-old, elite, hyper-rational college students to join EA groups or forums. Older rich guys may not be persuaded by the usual moral-philosophical appeals to maximizing net total sentient utility in the future light-cone. But they may be persuaded that EA is one of the best ways they can create (1) an ethical, honorable, and impressive legacy, and (2) a better future world for their family dynasty to enjoy.
This is really interesting and insightful set of ideas! I’m drafting an essay in response to your points, stay tuned! And thanks for reading and providing such a thoughtful set of comments!
Thanks Dwarkesh for a fascinating, compelling, and insightful essay.
I share your hope that EA philanthropy will become more of a Schelling point for billionaires.
One key issue is that about 88% of billionaires are men. The percentage of self-made billionaires who are male seems even higher. So understanding the motivational psychology of men may be especially important in understanding how to nudge billionaires into EA.
Likewise, although young tech billionaires get a lot of media attention, out of the world’s 2,700+ billionaires, almost all are middle-aged or older, and the average one only became a billionaire in their 60s. So, understanding the motivational psychology of older men may also be especially important.
As you point out, the motivations for thymos, prestige, money, and direct impact, are important. True, but I think this is somewhat of a young man’s take on the psychology of older men. Old rich guys have typically been married once or twice, have a few kids, have some grand-kids, and are often quite focused on dynasty-building, succession issues, and legacy. What will keep their family safe, thriving, and prosperous? Who will run their businesses after they’re gone? What will be the main threats to their family, community, and nation in the future? What kind of world will their grand-kids grow up in?
This last question may be the most compelling entry point for introducing older male billionaires to EA considerations such as long-termism.
In my opinion, EA needs to think about communication tactics for expressing EA ideals, values, and strategies that are more compelling to rich older guys concerned about their reputational and dynastic legacy and their grand-kids’ well-being. Those communication tactics might not resemble those that are best for persuading 22-year-old, elite, hyper-rational college students to join EA groups or forums. Older rich guys may not be persuaded by the usual moral-philosophical appeals to maximizing net total sentient utility in the future light-cone. But they may be persuaded that EA is one of the best ways they can create (1) an ethical, honorable, and impressive legacy, and (2) a better future world for their family dynasty to enjoy.
This is really interesting and insightful set of ideas! I’m drafting an essay in response to your points, stay tuned! And thanks for reading and providing such a thoughtful set of comments!