Classic posts (from the Forum Digest)LizkaJul 11, 2022, 4:42 PMThis is a sequence of posts that were shared as “Classics” in the EA Forum DigestUse resilience, instead of imprecision, to communicate uncertaintyGregory Lewis🔸Jul 18, 2020, 12:09 PM101 points34 comments7 min readEA linkThe Possibility of an Ongoing Moral Catastrophe (Summary)LinchAug 2, 2019, 9:55 PM144 points17 comments4 min readEA link(docs.google.com)‘Ugh Fields’, or why you can’t even bear to think about that taskRobert_WiblinSep 14, 2020, 4:39 PM61 points1 comment5 min readEA linkThe world is much better. The world is awful. The world can be much better.Max RoserAug 22, 2022, 2:33 PM115 points6 comments5 min readEA linkDifferential progress / intellectual progress / technological developmentMichaelA🔸Apr 24, 2020, 2:08 PM47 points16 comments7 min readEA linkKeeping Absolutes in MindMichelle_HutchinsonOct 21, 2018, 10:40 PM145 points10 comments2 min readEA linkGrowth and the case against randomista developmentHauke HillebrandtJan 16, 2020, 10:11 AM434 points197 comments31 min readEA linkEffective Altruism is a Question (not an ideology)HelenOct 16, 2014, 4:16 AM283 points48 comments4 min readEA link500 Million, But Not A Single One MorejaiMay 25, 2020, 4:31 PM611 points29 comments3 min readEA link(laneless.substack.com)Beware surprising and suspicious convergenceGregory Lewis🔸Jan 24, 2016, 7:11 PM219 points21 comments15 min readEA linkOn CaringSo8resOct 7, 2014, 5:12 AM320 points17 comments10 min readEA linkHow bad would nuclear winter caused by a US-Russia nuclear exchange be?Luisa_RodriguezJun 20, 2019, 1:48 AM145 points18 comments43 min readEA linkWhat is the likelihood that civilizational collapse would directly lead to human extinction (within decades)?Luisa_RodriguezDec 24, 2020, 10:10 PM296 points37 comments50 min readEA linkReducing long-term risks from malevolent actorsDavid_AlthausApr 29, 2020, 8:55 AM344 points93 comments37 min readEA linkAn unofficial Replacing Guilt tier listAkashJul 2, 2022, 10:59 PM41 points1 comment4 min readEA linkA summary of every Replacing Guilt postAkashJun 30, 2022, 12:24 AM127 points5 comments10 min readEA linkNot yet godsSo8resAug 9, 2015, 5:00 AM25 points0 comments2 min readEA link(mindingourway.com)You have more than one goal, and that’s fineJulia_Wise🔸Feb 20, 2019, 1:08 AM302 points28 comments2 min readEA linkIntegrity for consequentialistsPaul_ChristianoNov 14, 2016, 8:56 PM177 points18 comments8 min readEA linkMentorship, Management, and Mysterious Old WizardsRaemonFeb 24, 2021, 9:58 PM88 points4 comments3 min readEA linkScope-sensitive ethics: capturing the core intuition motivating utilitarianismrichard_ngoJan 15, 2021, 4:22 PM141 points19 comments5 min readEA linkThe motivated reasoning critique of effective altruismLinchSep 14, 2021, 8:43 PM286 points59 comments23 min readEA linkAim high, even if you fall shortJulia_Wise🔸Oct 11, 2014, 5:26 PM151 points11 comments2 min readEA link[Question] Why “cause area” as the unit of analysis?riceissaJan 25, 2021, 2:53 AM85 points21 comments4 min readEA linkNo, it’s not the incentives — it’s youAaron Gertler 🔸Jan 25, 2021, 6:50 AM26 points1 comment4 min readEA link(www.talyarkoni.org)List of ways in which cost-effectiveness estimates can be misleadingsauliusAug 20, 2019, 6:05 PM236 points37 comments13 min readEA linkEpistemic LegibilityElizabethMar 21, 2022, 7:18 PM76 points1 comment20 min readEA linkPotential downsides of using explicit probabilitiesMichaelA🔸Jan 20, 2020, 2:14 AM57 points22 comments18 min readEA linkLearning By WritingHolden KarnofskyFeb 22, 2022, 3:39 PM148 points12 comments10 min readEA linkReasoning TransparencyLizkaSep 28, 2022, 12:22 PM117 points8 comments17 min readEA link(www.openphilanthropy.org)Care and demandingnessJoe_CarlsmithMar 8, 2021, 6:59 AM54 points2 comments11 min readEA linkComparing charities: How big is the difference? Giving What We CanApr 4, 2022, 11:00 PM40 points17 comments5 min readEA link(www.givingwhatwecan.org)Moral circles: Degrees, dimensions, visualsMichaelA🔸Jul 24, 2020, 4:04 AM87 points10 comments13 min readEA linkShapley values: Better than counterfactualsNunoSempereOct 10, 2019, 10:26 AM153 points54 comments15 min readEA linkAmanda Askell: The moral value of informationEA GlobalJun 2, 2017, 8:48 AM19 points0 comments13 min readEA link(www.youtube.com)What gives me hopeMichelle_HutchinsonMay 19, 2021, 10:00 AM209 points4 comments3 min readEA linkThe extraordinary value of ordinary norms EmilyTenchNov 8, 2017, 5:34 PM42 points7 comments12 min readEA linkMinimal-trust investigationsHolden KarnofskyNov 23, 2021, 6:02 PM161 points10 comments12 min readEA linkExistential risk as common causetechnicalitiesDec 5, 2018, 2:01 PM49 points22 comments5 min readEA linkWhat is a ‘broad intervention’ and what is a ‘narrow intervention’? Are we confusing ourselves?Robert_WiblinDec 19, 2015, 4:12 PM20 points3 comments2 min readEA linkWhy Charities Usually Don’t Differ Astronomically in Expected Cost-EffectivenessBrian_TomasikSep 16, 2017, 10:40 AM109 points6 comments28 min readEA link(reducing-suffering.org)On everyday altruism and the local circleBernadette_YoungMay 24, 2015, 2:09 PM36 points9 comments1 min readEA linkSix Ways To Get Along With People Who Are Totally Wrong*Robert_WiblinFeb 24, 2015, 12:41 PM170 points29 comments5 min readEA linkKey Lessons From Social Movement HistoryJamie_HarrisJun 30, 2021, 5:05 PM123 points24 comments11 min readEA link(www.sentienceinstitute.org)Aiming for the minimum of self-care is dangerousTessa A 🔸Dec 9, 2021, 9:27 PM230 points32 comments6 min readEA linkCrucial questions for longtermistsMichaelA🔸Jul 29, 2020, 9:39 AM104 points17 comments19 min readEA linkHard-to-reverse decisions destroy option value Stefan_SchubertMar 17, 2017, 5:54 PM33 points14 comments11 min readEA linkReality is often underpoweredGregory Lewis🔸Oct 10, 2019, 1:14 PM234 points17 comments5 min readEA linkThe Unweaving of a Beautiful ThingatbDec 26, 2021, 10:24 AM370 points47 comments23 min readEA linkThree intuitions about EA: responsibility, scale, self-improvementrichard_ngoApr 15, 2022, 7:55 AM196 points7 comments5 min readEA linkIndependent impressionsMichaelA🔸Sep 26, 2021, 6:43 PM155 points8 comments1 min readEA linkEfficient charity: do unto others...Scott AlexanderSep 3, 2013, 4:40 AM83 points13 comments6 min readEA linkDistillation and research debtLizkaMar 15, 2022, 11:45 AM69 points7 comments3 min readEA link(distill.pub)Failing with abandonSo8resApr 13, 2015, 6:31 AM42 points2 comments1 min readEA link(mindingourway.com)If you don’t have good evidence one thing is better than another, don’t pretend you doRobert_WiblinDec 21, 2015, 7:19 PM49 points7 comments1 min readEA linkOn “fringe” ideasKelsey PiperAug 19, 2019, 7:00 AM259 points6 comments5 min readEA link(theunitofcaring.tumblr.com)The Value of a LifeSo8resFeb 17, 2015, 5:33 PM38 points11 comments10 min readEA linkYou Don’t Need To Justify EverythingTW123Jun 12, 2022, 6:36 PM144 points11 comments3 min readEA linkBiosecurity needs engineers and materials scientistsWill BradshawDec 16, 2021, 11:37 AM161 points11 comments3 min readEA linkSupportive scepticism in practiceMichelle_HutchinsonJan 15, 2015, 4:35 PM41 points23 comments8 min readEA linkManaging ‘Imposters’Michelle_HutchinsonJan 29, 2022, 3:46 PM167 points9 comments8 min readEA linkContra Ari Ne’eman On Effective AltruismozymandiasJun 24, 2022, 4:37 PM98 points6 comments7 min readEA link(thingofthings.substack.com)When in doubt, apply*Vaidehi Agarwalla 🔸Jan 23, 2022, 7:07 PM66 points7 comments8 min readEA linkVirtues for Real-World UtilitariansStefan_SchubertAug 5, 2021, 10:56 PM152 points7 comments1 min readEA link(psyarxiv.com)[Question] Why “cause area” as the unit of analysis?riceissaJan 25, 2021, 2:53 AM85 points21 comments4 min readEA linkSummary: When should an effective altruist donate? (William MacAskill)Global Priorities InstituteJul 4, 2023, 1:37 PM45 points7 comments3 min readEA link(globalprioritiesinstitute.org)We are in triage every second of every dayHolly Elmore ⏸️ 🔸Aug 26, 2016, 8:20 PM220 points25 comments4 min readEA linkWholehearted choices and “morality as taxes”Joe_CarlsmithDec 21, 2020, 7:35 PM85 points9 comments4 min readEA linkRadical EmpathyHolden KarnofskyFeb 16, 2017, 12:41 PM76 points15 comments6 min readEA linkWhy the triviality objection to EA is beside the pointStefan_SchubertJul 20, 2015, 7:29 PM53 points5 comments3 min readEA linkInvisible impact loss (and why we can be too error-averse)LizkaOct 6, 2022, 3:08 PM137 points15 comments8 min readEA linkCertificates of impactPaul_ChristianoNov 11, 2014, 5:22 AM54 points41 comments8 min readEA linkAre we living at the most influential time in history?William_MacAskillSep 3, 2019, 4:55 AM204 points147 comments24 min readEA linkAll Possible Views About Humanity’s Future Are WildHolden KarnofskyJul 13, 2021, 4:57 PM217 points47 comments8 min readEA link(www.cold-takes.com)Comparative advantage does not mean doing the thing you’re best atBen_West🔸Apr 29, 2022, 3:49 PM134 points9 comments2 min readEA linkWhat happens on the average day?rosehadsharAug 17, 2022, 10:09 AM360 points33 comments6 min readEA linkA Long-run perspective on strategic cause selection and philanthropyCarlShulmanNov 5, 2013, 11:08 PM29 points29 comments7 min readEA link9/26 is Petrov DayLizkaSep 25, 2022, 11:14 PM77 points10 comments2 min readEA link(www.lesswrong.com)Integrity for consequentialistsPaul_ChristianoNov 14, 2016, 8:56 PM177 points18 comments8 min readEA linkOn the limits of idealized valuesJoe_CarlsmithJun 22, 2021, 2:00 AM80 points9 comments35 min readEA linkDon’t think, just apply! (usually)MichaelA🔸Apr 12, 2022, 8:06 AM145 points22 comments7 min readEA linkThe Application is not the ApplicantJJ HepburnJan 17, 2022, 8:10 AM96 points3 comments2 min readEA linkWhat the EA community can learn from the rise of the neoliberalsKerry_VaughanDec 6, 2016, 6:21 PM55 points10 comments20 min readEA linkCheerfullyJulia_Wise🔸Jun 21, 2013, 4:00 AM128 points27 comments2 min readEA linkHow we can make it easier to change your mind about cause areasClaireZabelAug 11, 2015, 6:21 AM78 points16 comments3 min readEA linkSupportive scepticism in practiceMichelle_HutchinsonJan 15, 2015, 4:35 PM41 points23 comments8 min readEA linkImportant Between-Cause Considerations: things every EA should know aboutJackMJan 28, 2021, 7:56 PM112 points28 comments12 min readEA linkHow likely is World War III?Stephen ClareFeb 15, 2022, 3:09 PM122 points21 comments22 min readEA linkKilling the antsJoe_CarlsmithFeb 7, 2021, 11:16 PM229 points18 comments8 min readEA linkMost problems fall within a 100x tractability range (under certain assumptions)Thomas KwaMay 4, 2022, 12:06 AM116 points25 comments4 min readEA linkUseful Vices for Wicked ProblemsHolden KarnofskyApr 12, 2022, 7:19 PM115 points3 comments16 min readEA linkEA should taboo “EA should”LizkaMar 29, 2022, 9:07 AM210 points9 comments4 min readEA linkFraming Effective Altruism as Overcoming Indifferenceimp4rtial 🔸May 25, 2019, 12:10 PM87 points8 comments6 min readEA linkHow moral progress happens: the decline of footbinding as a case studyrosehadsharJul 26, 2022, 9:18 AM106 points10 comments13 min readEA link$1.25/day—What does that mean?William_MacAskillMay 17, 2013, 4:00 AM91 points4 comments2 min readEA linkEmpirical data on value driftJoey🔸Apr 22, 2018, 11:31 PM151 points69 comments5 min readEA linkButterfly IdeasElizabethMar 23, 2022, 5:52 PM72 points2 comments3 min readEA linkTerminate deliberation based on resilience, not certaintyGregory Lewis🔸Jun 5, 2022, 8:08 PM152 points16 comments12 min readEA linkRecovering from RejectionAaron Gertler 🔸Jul 3, 2023, 9:42 AM172 points5 comments11 min readEA linkCounterarguments to the basic AI risk caseKatja_GraceOct 14, 2022, 8:30 PM284 points23 comments34 min readEA linkAre you really in a race? The Cautionary Tales of Szilárd and EllsbergHaydnBelfieldMay 19, 2022, 8:42 AM487 points44 comments18 min readEA linkWithout specific countermeasures, the easiest path to transformative AI likely leads to AI takeoverAjeyaJul 18, 2022, 7:07 PM217 points12 comments84 min readEA link(www.lesswrong.com)Collection of good 2012-2017 EA forum postssauliusJul 10, 2020, 4:35 PM202 points8 comments3 min readEA linkLet’s think about slowing down AIKatja_GraceDec 23, 2022, 7:56 PM334 points9 comments1 min readEA linkAn embarrassment of richesJulia_Wise🔸Nov 19, 2015, 6:23 PM55 points3 comments5 min readEA linkCorporate campaigns affect 9 to 120 years of chicken life per dollar spentsauliusJul 8, 2019, 8:01 AM176 points27 comments59 min readEA linkSeven things that surprised us in our first year working in policy—Lead Exposure Elimination Project JackMay 14, 2021, 9:40 AM244 points8 comments7 min readEA linkThe case of the missing cause prioritisation researchweeatquinceAug 16, 2020, 12:21 AM309 points88 comments16 min readEA linkThe Copenhagen Interpretation of EthicsjaiNov 4, 2016, 7:00 AM110 points2 comments5 min readEA link(laneless.substack.com)An Argument for Why the Future May Be GoodBen_West🔸Jul 19, 2017, 10:03 PM50 points30 comments4 min readEA linkEffective altruists love systemic changeRobert_WiblinJul 8, 2015, 7:00 AM54 points2 comments6 min readEA link(80000hours.org)Hits-based GivingHolden KarnofskyApr 4, 2016, 7:45 AM99 points2 comments19 min readEA link(www.openphilanthropy.org)AGI and Lock-InLukas FinnvedenOct 29, 2022, 1:56 AM153 points20 comments10 min readEA link(docs.google.com)Most* small probabilities aren’t pascalian Gregory Lewis🔸Aug 7, 2022, 4:17 PM212 points20 comments6 min readEA linkHow I Formed My Own Views About AI SafetyNeel NandaFeb 27, 2022, 6:52 PM134 points12 comments14 min readEA link(www.neelnanda.io)Good news on climate changeJohn G. HalsteadOct 28, 2021, 2:04 PM236 points34 comments12 min readEA linkOpen Phil Should Allocate Most Neartermist Funding to Animal WelfareAriel Simnegar 🔸Nov 19, 2023, 5:00 PM521 points126 comments14 min readEA linkEffectiveness is a Conjunction of MultipliersThomas KwaMar 25, 2022, 6:44 PM259 points34 comments4 min readEA linkAct utilitarianism: criterion of rightness vs. decision procedureAskellJan 18, 2017, 11:49 PM61 points5 comments4 min readEA linkHow effective are prizes at spurring innovation?Rethink PrioritiesNov 1, 2022, 9:31 AM109 points15 comments86 min readEA linkSome readings & notes on how to do high-quality, efficient researchMichaelA🔸Nov 17, 2021, 5:01 PM76 points1 comment8 min readEA linkWinners of the EA Criticism and Red Teaming ContestLizkaOct 1, 2022, 1:50 AM226 points41 comments19 min readEA linkDetecting Genetically Engineered Viruses With Metagenomic SequencingJeff Kaufman 🔸Jun 27, 2024, 2:01 PM203 points7 comments8 min readEA link(naobservatory.org)Five Ways to Handle Flow-Through EffectsPeter WildefordJul 28, 2016, 3:39 AM43 points3 comments5 min readEA linkThe Importance of Committing to CausesHolden KarnofskyMay 14, 2014, 12:41 PM10 points0 comments9 min readEA link(www.openphilanthropy.org)Room for Other Things: How to adjust if EA seems overwhelmingLukas_GloorMar 26, 2015, 2:10 PM61 points15 comments10 min readEA linkFinding more effective causesMichelle_HutchinsonJan 1, 2016, 10:54 PM23 points3 comments5 min readEA linkGood things that happened in EA this yearShakeel HashimDec 29, 2022, 1:53 PM281 points13 comments3 min readEA linkAn Evaluation of Animal Charity Evaluators eaanonymous1234Sep 2, 2022, 4:33 AM103 points6 comments43 min readEA linkCause prioritization for downside-focused value systemsLukas_GloorJan 31, 2018, 2:47 PM76 points11 comments48 min readEA linkLessons learned from Tyve, an effective giving startupCliffordDec 18, 2022, 5:37 PM113 points13 comments6 min readEA link