I think it’s plausible that changing incentives and “better” options coming along might explain a lot of the drift. However, rather than “Power. Survival. Prestige. Odds of procreation.”, I think they’ll be less selfish things like family, or just things they end up finding more interesting ; maybe they’ll just get bored with EA.
However, I think you underestimate how deeply motivated many people are to help others for their own sake, out of a sense of duty or compassion. Sure, this probably isn’t most people, and maybe not even most EAs, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it were.
I think it’s plausible that changing incentives and “better” options coming along might explain a lot of the drift. However, rather than “Power. Survival. Prestige. Odds of procreation.”, I think they’ll be less selfish things like family, or just things they end up finding more interesting ; maybe they’ll just get bored with EA.
However, I think you underestimate how deeply motivated many people are to help others for their own sake, out of a sense of duty or compassion. Sure, this probably isn’t most people, and maybe not even most EAs, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it were.
https://slatestarcodex.com/2017/08/16/fear-and-loathing-at-effective-altruism-global-2017/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/22/extreme-altruism-should-you-care-for-strangers-as-much-as-family
http://bostonreview.net/books-ideas-mccoy-family-center-ethics-society-stanford-university/lives-moral-saints
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/4gKqaGdDLtxm6NKnZ/figuring-good-out-january
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/FA794RppcqrNcEgTC/why-are-you-here-an-origin-stories-thread