The thing is, broad awareness of EA is still really low—around 2%. This is from research that was done last summer between Rethink Priorities and CEA, and Breakwater. They found even though in specific groups that we care about, like some elite circles, it might be higher on the whole awareness of EA, it’s just still very low.
Our research on elite university students (unpublished but referenced by CEA here), also found that among those who were familiar with EA, only a small number mentioned FTX.
I believe all of that is true, but at the same time, I’m almost certain we’ve lost significant credibility with key stakeholders, and sometimes I worry this isn’t taken seriously enough. Friendly organisations have explicitly stated they do not want to publicly associate with us due to our EA branding, as the EA brand has become a major drawback among their key stakeholders, particularly in the United States.
Can you add / are you comfortable adding anything on who “us” is and which orgs or what kinds of orgs are hesitant? Is your sense this is universal, or more localised (geographically, politically, cause area...)?
I believe all of that is true, but at the same time, I’m almost certain we’ve lost significant credibility with key stakeholders… Friendly organisations have explicitly stated they do not want to publicly associate with us due to our EA branding, as the EA brand has become a major drawback among their key stakeholders
I definitely agree this is true, just not sufficient in itself to mean that movement building for EA is impossible or less viable than promoting other ideas (for that we’d need to assess alternative brands/framings).
Yup, I agree. I just don’t want people to see these survey results and go ‘oh, awareness amongst the general pop and elite undergrads is low and, of those who are aware, most are positive, ergo EA doesn’t have a reputational issue’.
Great talk, thanks!
Agreed with this.
That said, I’d also add that sentiment is still positive even among those who have heard of EA.
Our research on elite university students (unpublished but referenced by CEA here), also found that among those who were familiar with EA, only a small number mentioned FTX.
I believe all of that is true, but at the same time, I’m almost certain we’ve lost significant credibility with key stakeholders, and sometimes I worry this isn’t taken seriously enough. Friendly organisations have explicitly stated they do not want to publicly associate with us due to our EA branding, as the EA brand has become a major drawback among their key stakeholders, particularly in the United States.
Can you add / are you comfortable adding anything on who “us” is and which orgs or what kinds of orgs are hesitant? Is your sense this is universal, or more localised (geographically, politically, cause area...)?
By ‘us’ I mean EA Netherlands. I probably shouldn’t say which orgs I’m talking about, sorry.
My sense is that it’s more of an issue in the US amongst the very online (the e/acc part of very online and the woke side of very online).
I definitely agree this is true, just not sufficient in itself to mean that movement building for EA is impossible or less viable than promoting other ideas (for that we’d need to assess alternative brands/framings).
Yup, I agree. I just don’t want people to see these survey results and go ‘oh, awareness amongst the general pop and elite undergrads is low and, of those who are aware, most are positive, ergo EA doesn’t have a reputational issue’.