we need to stop saying “don’t donate to your local theatre” … because actually [that is a] bad advice a lot of the time
I’m surprised you would say this—I would expect that not donating to a local theatre would have basically no negative effects for most people. I can see an argument for phrasing it more delicately—e.g. “I wouldn’t donate to a local theatre because I don’t think it will really help make the world a better place”—but I would be very surprised if it was actually bad advice. Most people who stop donating to a charity suffer essentially no negative consequences from doing so.
I don’t think donating to a theatre is done in order to “make the world a better place”, I think it’s done to be able to continue to have access to a community research you enjoy and build your reputation in your community. It’s actually a really bad idea for EAs to become known as a community of free riders.
And ultimately, it should be that person’s choice—if you don’t know much about their life, why would you tell them what part of their budget they should replace in order to increase donations to top causes? It’s better to donate 10% to effective charities and continue donating to local community organisations than to donate 10% to effective charities and spend the rest on fast food, in my view, but ultimately it’s none of my business!
I’m surprised you would say this—I would expect that not donating to a local theatre would have basically no negative effects for most people. I can see an argument for phrasing it more delicately—e.g. “I wouldn’t donate to a local theatre because I don’t think it will really help make the world a better place”—but I would be very surprised if it was actually bad advice. Most people who stop donating to a charity suffer essentially no negative consequences from doing so.
I don’t think donating to a theatre is done in order to “make the world a better place”, I think it’s done to be able to continue to have access to a community research you enjoy and build your reputation in your community. It’s actually a really bad idea for EAs to become known as a community of free riders.
And ultimately, it should be that person’s choice—if you don’t know much about their life, why would you tell them what part of their budget they should replace in order to increase donations to top causes? It’s better to donate 10% to effective charities and continue donating to local community organisations than to donate 10% to effective charities and spend the rest on fast food, in my view, but ultimately it’s none of my business!
It has a negative effect on the local theater, but hopefully a positive effect on the counterfactual recipients of that money.