Reading this, the idea of the “EA Spark” resonates. I can picture someone with that mix of altruism, analytical habits, and willingness to update quickly. But as a newcomer to the EA In-Depth Program, I’m not sure I should or could embody all of these traits immediately. What’s encouraging is that many of them seem trainable: reasoning transparency, alliance mentality, and clear communication feel like skills to practice, not fixed traits. This makes me hopeful that growth in EA is about learning and iterating, not arriving fully formed.
At the same time, I see the risk of idealizing a “type” that can feel exclusionary. I hope the community recognizes that impact comes in diverse forms, and that the spark doesn’t have to be fully lit to contribute meaningfully. My goal in this program is to explore which traits I can realistically develop, test myself against these ideals, and remember that quieter, less-networked contributions can be just as valuable as the more obvious EA “core skills.”
Reading this, the idea of the “EA Spark” resonates. I can picture someone with that mix of altruism, analytical habits, and willingness to update quickly. But as a newcomer to the EA In-Depth Program, I’m not sure I should or could embody all of these traits immediately. What’s encouraging is that many of them seem trainable: reasoning transparency, alliance mentality, and clear communication feel like skills to practice, not fixed traits. This makes me hopeful that growth in EA is about learning and iterating, not arriving fully formed.
At the same time, I see the risk of idealizing a “type” that can feel exclusionary. I hope the community recognizes that impact comes in diverse forms, and that the spark doesn’t have to be fully lit to contribute meaningfully. My goal in this program is to explore which traits I can realistically develop, test myself against these ideals, and remember that quieter, less-networked contributions can be just as valuable as the more obvious EA “core skills.”