Everything is compared to StrongMinds because that’s what our models currently say is best. [...] I guess this is an alternative to putting everything in terms of GiveDirectly cash transfers—which IMO would generate less heat and light.
GW compares everything to GiveDirectly (which isn’t considered their best charity). I like that approach because:
Giving people cash is really easy to understand
It’s high capacity
It’s not a moving target (unlike say worms or betnets which changes all the time based on how the charities are executing)
I think for HLI (at their current stage) everthing is going to be a moving target (because there’s so much uncertainty about the WELLBY effect of every action) but I’d rather have only one moving target rather than two.
FWIW, I’m not unsympathetic to comparing everything to GiveDirectly CTs, and this is probably something we will (continue to) discuss internally at HLI.
GW compares everything to GiveDirectly (which isn’t considered their best charity). I like that approach because:
Giving people cash is really easy to understand
It’s high capacity
It’s not a moving target (unlike say worms or betnets which changes all the time based on how the charities are executing)
I think for HLI (at their current stage) everthing is going to be a moving target (because there’s so much uncertainty about the WELLBY effect of every action) but I’d rather have only one moving target rather than two.
FWIW, I’m not unsympathetic to comparing everything to GiveDirectly CTs, and this is probably something we will (continue to) discuss internally at HLI.