Another problem is that even if the elite were much more likely to have good ideas and other merits, there are just so many people that are non-elite, that by leaving them disempowered, we are just leaving so many potential allies in making for the best existence possible on the sideline.
And even where some of the disempowered masses get some funding or other power, it typically will be by ministering to the priorities of some of these elite. At best, some ideas will penetrate to the elite by some who are best capable of navigating their social spaces and speaking their languages, but most of the potential value of humanity is likely squandered when we the masses routinely sacrifice most of our time and energy to the man in our 9-5s.
EA has been great at identifying moral patients and determining cost-effective means to better their conditions.
I think, though, that EA has not been so great at empowering moral agents, across the spectrum of alignment.
Another problem is that even if the elite were much more likely to have good ideas and other merits, there are just so many people that are non-elite, that by leaving them disempowered, we are just leaving so many potential allies in making for the best existence possible on the sideline.
And even where some of the disempowered masses get some funding or other power, it typically will be by ministering to the priorities of some of these elite. At best, some ideas will penetrate to the elite by some who are best capable of navigating their social spaces and speaking their languages, but most of the potential value of humanity is likely squandered when we the masses routinely sacrifice most of our time and energy to the man in our 9-5s.
EA has been great at identifying moral patients and determining cost-effective means to better their conditions.
I think, though, that EA has not been so great at empowering moral agents, across the spectrum of alignment.