Yeah, I often don’t agree with people arguing they don’t want to give to ineffective causes, since I think in most cases the actual counterfactual for where the money is given is not an effective charity, but a new video game or a fancy night out. (There are people who are different though. I just don’t think it’s true for many.)
Well said Denise, the likelihood for cannibalisation from more effective charities is typically low when people ask friends and family for donations.
I went through a similar struggle in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes earlier this year. I had spent 5 weeks volunteering in a Nepali village the year before, and they had been hit quite hard. Given my unique experience, I knew I could convince colleagues to donate to this cause even though I knew disaster relief is not the most effective cause. I asked Peter Singer for advice who suggested the above, that donations made from colleagues would not be likely to be made elsewhere if I didn’t say anything.
Yeah, I often don’t agree with people arguing they don’t want to give to ineffective causes, since I think in most cases the actual counterfactual for where the money is given is not an effective charity, but a new video game or a fancy night out. (There are people who are different though. I just don’t think it’s true for many.)
Well said Denise, the likelihood for cannibalisation from more effective charities is typically low when people ask friends and family for donations.
I went through a similar struggle in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes earlier this year. I had spent 5 weeks volunteering in a Nepali village the year before, and they had been hit quite hard. Given my unique experience, I knew I could convince colleagues to donate to this cause even though I knew disaster relief is not the most effective cause. I asked Peter Singer for advice who suggested the above, that donations made from colleagues would not be likely to be made elsewhere if I didn’t say anything.