There are different levels and types of commitment devices. One could use a pledge to bind oneself to continue giving even if in future you think it’s the wrong thing to do—but I’m more skeptical that that is a good idea, for the reasons people have given. And I don’t think most pledgers see themselves as binding their future behaviour this way.
It’s also not how I’m using it, and it is still useful to me as a more gentle reminder of what I think is morally desirable behaviour. Just as agreeing to go to meet your friends at the gym is helpful even though it won’t (and isn’t designed to) force you to go to the gym even if you are e.g. injured or decide that gymming actually harms your health.
There are different levels and types of commitment devices. One could use a pledge to bind oneself to continue giving even if in future you think it’s the wrong thing to do—but I’m more skeptical that that is a good idea, for the reasons people have given. And I don’t think most pledgers see themselves as binding their future behaviour this way.
It’s also not how I’m using it, and it is still useful to me as a more gentle reminder of what I think is morally desirable behaviour. Just as agreeing to go to meet your friends at the gym is helpful even though it won’t (and isn’t designed to) force you to go to the gym even if you are e.g. injured or decide that gymming actually harms your health.
I think I’d be quite happy to have a public thing of the sort that Rob describes, but I don’t feel that’s what the GWWC pledge is.