Although I know many EAs will agree with you, I think second order concerns such as image and reference on the movement are valid considerations, although usually less important than first order.
I think I was unclear. I agree “second order concerns such as image and reference on the movement are valid considerations” and I even think these are often more important. (Perhaps ‘indirect’ is a better word than ‘second order’).
But it’s more about how I interpreted the question
It would be better to spend an extra $100m on animal welfare than on global health
I interpreted this this a normative ‘axiology’ question … if society could shift it’s resources towards this by $100m, would that improve welfare?
Rather than a ‘would it be strategic for EAs to publicly shift their donations in this way’. But I now see that other interpretations of this question are valid.
Public support is important for getting things done actually. It’s affects tractability.
In the case where it’s ambiguous which of options A and B are better, but they have different levels of public support, it becomes an important consideration.
I agree with most of these points, but many of them don’t really argue against the forum question as posed. (Not that you were saying they do.).
The “should” in the question, in my mind, seems to rule out these second order image concerns, difficulty of garnering support, etc.
Although I know many EAs will agree with you, I think second order concerns such as image and reference on the movement are valid considerations, although usually less important than first order.
I think I was unclear. I agree “second order concerns such as image and reference on the movement are valid considerations” and I even think these are often more important. (Perhaps ‘indirect’ is a better word than ‘second order’).
But it’s more about how I interpreted the question
I interpreted this this a normative ‘axiology’ question … if society could shift it’s resources towards this by $100m, would that improve welfare?
Rather than a ‘would it be strategic for EAs to publicly shift their donations in this way’. But I now see that other interpretations of this question are valid.
Public support is important for getting things done actually. It’s affects tractability.
In the case where it’s ambiguous which of options A and B are better, but they have different levels of public support, it becomes an important consideration.