Actions speak louder than words. The best way of influencing those around you is when they can see that you are donating time and money to a cause you believe in passionately – and that doing so is making the world a better place.
This varies from person to person. If someone is doing direct research or outreach on the cause they believe holds the most promise for improving the world, it seems talking about it would really shine through to other people in ways inspiring them. Effective altruism emphasizes earning to give. For the rest of us “just” donating money, it doesn’t seem as action-packed. Also, earning to give is abstract.
I realized the best thing I could do was work as an actuary/electrician/dentist, and donate some of that money.
is not as exciting as
I’m organizing conferences on solving global problems by combining many sciences to inform international policy and research agendas.
Leading by example doesn’t seem so easy when you look like you’re doing the same desk job as everyone else. What do you suggest in this case?
The simplest thing to do is be public about your donations. Tell people / post on facebook about how much you donate and where it goes.
If you socialise with or engage with or help run a local EA group or community then this too helps.
Also if you have an active interest in EA topics such as charity evaluation research or international development then this will come up in conversation
This varies from person to person. If someone is doing direct research or outreach on the cause they believe holds the most promise for improving the world, it seems talking about it would really shine through to other people in ways inspiring them. Effective altruism emphasizes earning to give. For the rest of us “just” donating money, it doesn’t seem as action-packed. Also, earning to give is abstract.
is not as exciting as
Leading by example doesn’t seem so easy when you look like you’re doing the same desk job as everyone else. What do you suggest in this case?
Suggestions:
The simplest thing to do is be public about your donations. Tell people / post on facebook about how much you donate and where it goes.
If you socialise with or engage with or help run a local EA group or community then this too helps.
Also if you have an active interest in EA topics such as charity evaluation research or international development then this will come up in conversation
Thanks, those sound like good suggestions!