12.a. I’m worried about how concentrated resources and influence are in EA.
Needs not fulfilled: safety, effectiveness, equality
Associated emotions: worry, anger
Description: “I’m deeply concerned about how resources and influence are concentrated among a small minority within EA, which creates dangerous vulnerabilities. Open Philanthropy dominates EA funding by an enormous margin, and a few key individuals hold disproportionate sway over research directions and community standards. When so much power rests with so few people, it becomes much easier for them to circumvent whatever checks and balances exist. The funding landscape lacks the diversity and distributed decision-making that would make it more robust against groupthink, conflicts of interest, or misuse of power. This concentration doesn’t just threaten equality—it creates genuine risks for the movement’s integrity and effectiveness.”
Description: “I’m reassured by how EA has concentrated resources and influence among highly capable individuals and organisations. When power rests with competent people, it enables swift, well-informed responses that distributed systems simply couldn’t achieve. The funding landscape benefits from having experienced professionals who understand complex cause areas and can make sophisticated trade-offs between competing priorities. The individuals with significant influence have consistently demonstrated good judgement and commitment to EA values. Rather than creating vulnerabilities, this concentration provides the movement with the leadership needed to tackle urgent global problems effectively.”
12. Concentration of resources and influence
12.a. I’m worried about how concentrated resources and influence are in EA.
Needs not fulfilled: safety, effectiveness, equality
Associated emotions: worry, anger
Description: “I’m deeply concerned about how resources and influence are concentrated among a small minority within EA, which creates dangerous vulnerabilities. Open Philanthropy dominates EA funding by an enormous margin, and a few key individuals hold disproportionate sway over research directions and community standards. When so much power rests with so few people, it becomes much easier for them to circumvent whatever checks and balances exist. The funding landscape lacks the diversity and distributed decision-making that would make it more robust against groupthink, conflicts of interest, or misuse of power. This concentration doesn’t just threaten equality—it creates genuine risks for the movement’s integrity and effectiveness.”
12.b. I’m happy with how concentrated resources and influence are in EA.
Needs fulfilled: safety, effectiveness, equality
Associated emotions: security, confidence, calmness
Description: “I’m reassured by how EA has concentrated resources and influence among highly capable individuals and organisations. When power rests with competent people, it enables swift, well-informed responses that distributed systems simply couldn’t achieve. The funding landscape benefits from having experienced professionals who understand complex cause areas and can make sophisticated trade-offs between competing priorities. The individuals with significant influence have consistently demonstrated good judgement and commitment to EA values. Rather than creating vulnerabilities, this concentration provides the movement with the leadership needed to tackle urgent global problems effectively.”