not include the reference to “youngish” EAs wanting to govern everything by cost-effectiveness. I think it’s more a result of being new to the idea than young.
make clearer that I do think significant resources should go toward improving the world. Without context, I don’t think that’s clear from this post.
This post is pushing against a kind of extremism, but it might push in the wrong direction for some people who aren’t devoting many resources to altruism. It’s not that I think people in general should be donating more to their friend’s fundraiser or their community arts organization—I’d rather see them putting more resources towards things that are more important and cost-effective. But I would like people to examine whether they’re doing things for more self-regarding personal reasons, or for optimizer-y improve-the-world reasons. And enjoy the resources they put toward themselves and their friends, but also take seriously the project of improving the world and put significant resources toward that. Rather than being confused about which project you’re pursuing, which I think is suboptimal both for your own enjoyment and for improving the world.
Stuff I’d change if I were rewriting this now:
not include the reference to “youngish” EAs wanting to govern everything by cost-effectiveness. I think it’s more a result of being new to the idea than young.
make clearer that I do think significant resources should go toward improving the world. Without context, I don’t think that’s clear from this post.
This post is pushing against a kind of extremism, but it might push in the wrong direction for some people who aren’t devoting many resources to altruism. It’s not that I think people in general should be donating more to their friend’s fundraiser or their community arts organization—I’d rather see them putting more resources towards things that are more important and cost-effective. But I would like people to examine whether they’re doing things for more self-regarding personal reasons, or for optimizer-y improve-the-world reasons. And enjoy the resources they put toward themselves and their friends, but also take seriously the project of improving the world and put significant resources toward that. Rather than being confused about which project you’re pursuing, which I think is suboptimal both for your own enjoyment and for improving the world.