Yes, I absolutely agree.
I mention in another comment that I don’t actually think “selling out” is the best career option for every single person, especially folks at Harvard.
I do think it’s a persuasive one though — because it’s a path of less resistance. It feels harder to say “Hey, you should go explore under-researched areas in search for the most effective way to do good,” and actually persuade people.
The target audience was those who were generally uninformed about doing good, or people on the fence about it.
I actually did include a pretty meaty paragraph about the effectiveness of charities (linking this article), and a brief explanation of GiveWell and its mission. Unfortunately we were over the word limit and my editor and I decided to cut it.
Though you’re making me wish I’d chopped something else.