In the spirit of giving credit where credit is due, I want to give one positive data point. I am continually surprised by the degree to which effective altruists are receptive to my criticisms of EA.
I regularly receive invitations to speak at conferences and other EA events on the basis of my blog, Ineffective Altruism, which does not hold back in raising doubts about EA. I track where my readers come from: many (most?) are effective altruists, and they often read the criticisms cover to cover and engage with them. They also show a strong willingness to read through the more dense and intellectually rigorous criticisms, and are if anything a bit put off by lighter content.
I can’t say that I have never received pushback, or that I have never been frightened at times. When there are billions of dollars and lifetimes of work at stake, tempers tend to run a bit hot, especially when issues such as inclusion and belonging get in the picture. And I can’t say that I will never face any sanction for my words. I can’t say that I don’t have to change how I speak to make sure that I am heard. I also don’t want to speak for other critics raising different types of criticisms, or speaking from different positions.
But to be honest, I have found that effective altruists react with more openness, interest and tolerance towards critics than many other communities that I am a part of, including other highly educated and intellectually serious community. I genuinely appreciate and admire that.
I said the same to a very senior faculty member and public critic of EA yesterday, and I meant it.
In the spirit of giving credit where credit is due, I want to give one positive data point. I am continually surprised by the degree to which effective altruists are receptive to my criticisms of EA.
I regularly receive invitations to speak at conferences and other EA events on the basis of my blog, Ineffective Altruism, which does not hold back in raising doubts about EA. I track where my readers come from: many (most?) are effective altruists, and they often read the criticisms cover to cover and engage with them. They also show a strong willingness to read through the more dense and intellectually rigorous criticisms, and are if anything a bit put off by lighter content.
I can’t say that I have never received pushback, or that I have never been frightened at times. When there are billions of dollars and lifetimes of work at stake, tempers tend to run a bit hot, especially when issues such as inclusion and belonging get in the picture. And I can’t say that I will never face any sanction for my words. I can’t say that I don’t have to change how I speak to make sure that I am heard. I also don’t want to speak for other critics raising different types of criticisms, or speaking from different positions.
But to be honest, I have found that effective altruists react with more openness, interest and tolerance towards critics than many other communities that I am a part of, including other highly educated and intellectually serious community. I genuinely appreciate and admire that.
I said the same to a very senior faculty member and public critic of EA yesterday, and I meant it.