David Clarke

Karma: 49

I’m a writer and researcher with an interest in economic justice.

I’m developing a project whereby I recruit some random strangers to decide where to donate £100k I have inherited.

David Clarke 9 Jun 2023 14:59 UTC
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on: I made a news site based on prediction markets
This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while!
Just one thought (and sorry if this has already been suggested elsewhere) is that it’d be useful to have a short explanation on the site regarding the markets you’re using, and who they’re populated by.
Honestly though, this is really gr8 and I can see it having a huge amount of potential.

David Clarke 6 Apr 2023 22:33 UTC
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in reply to: Imma’s comment on: I’m planning to recruit some random strangers to decide where to donate my money
That’s a really cool tool, thanks!
I’m thinking they’ll be introduced to EA concepts among other approaches, which will hopefully reduce the risk of undue influence.

David Clarke 6 Apr 2023 22:23 UTC
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in reply to: Imma’s comment on: I’m planning to recruit some random strangers to decide where to donate my money
Nice one, thanks!

David Clarke 6 Apr 2023 22:22 UTC
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in reply to: IanDavidMoss’s comment on: I’m planning to recruit some random strangers to decide where to donate my money
Thanks very much! I’ve spoken to a couple of experts on PGM and have signed up to this mailing list: https://www.participatorygrantmaking.org/. I hadn’t seen those resources though so I’ll check them out.

David Clarke 6 Apr 2023 22:20 UTC
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in reply to: Tom Gardiner’s comment on: I’m planning to recruit some random strangers to decide where to donate my money
I think it’s unlikely that people will choose to make donations that I regard as totally useless. If they do, then that’ll be learning in itself. In general, I think rich people hoarding wealth is a bigger problem for society than people making slightly suboptimal decisions about their giving, so I’m comfortable with the idea of putting a big sum towards this project.

David Clarke 6 Apr 2023 22:13 UTC
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in reply to: Sanjay’s comment on: I’m planning to recruit some random strangers to decide where to donate my money
Thanks for your kind words and for the heads up about these other initiatives—I’ll look into them.
I’m interested in the idea of who makes a “good decision maker”. I think the question of what causes are worth donating towards is in large part a value judgement which your average citizen is just as well-equipped to make as anyone else. Particularly if they’re able to draw on outside expertise, which I intend on providing to them.
It’s possible that at the end of the process the participants will say that they don’t really feel like they added much value and/or it was a burdensome responsibility, in which case that’ll be an argument in favour of leaving philanthropic decision-making in the hands of experts. However, if they feel like it is an empowering experience and/or it reaches a good outcome, it may inspire other people in my position to go in a similar direction.