I have to agree with most of what you have said here. I understand the idea behind focusing on where you can do the most good, but that is going to look different for everyone. You won’t find the people that you are looking for by only giving them these four options to choose from.
I also have to agree with your comment regarding young individuals not pursuing prestigious colleges at a young age and will use myself as an example. I never finished my degree due to ADHD (although I’m actively working on changing that). I am, however, great with people. Leading is where I excel. I also know financial accounting since I spent 10 years working with them. I have spent a lifetime in animal advocacy. That work includes being a cofounder of a small animal organization that is still operating 10 years later and has had a huge impact on our community all without the use of grants. I’ve also been published advocating for captive wild animals and currently have a 27-page business plan drafted for a new nonprofit that will allow me to expand my reach while advocating for animals. However, due to not having a finished degree and having managerial titles vs. executive titles on my CV, the chances of me qualifying are quite slim.
With that being said, I haven’t bothered to apply because, quite frankly, none of these ideas interest me. They are a bit ahead of current times in my opinion. I think there are some fights that still need to be finished before we attempt to tackle what millions of people around the globe are eating. Not that I agree with factory farming by any means, but it’s difficult to find the motivation to advocate for a food source when we haven’t even effectively stopped people from buying puppies from puppy mills, slowed down the abuse and neglect of animals in countries like Egypt, slowed down mass culling of animals in certain countries, or even managed to convince Americans to stop going to circuses that use wild animals. Why would I jump into a project, putting my heart and soul into it, when I can see that society clearly isn’t ready for it yet because so many fights are still unresolved.
I also think there are much more pressing issues that should be addressed that better meet the idea of Effective Altruism. Wild animal welfare being one of those as it supports biodiversity which is what this planet needs to survive.
I have to agree with most of what you have said here. I understand the idea behind focusing on where you can do the most good, but that is going to look different for everyone. You won’t find the people that you are looking for by only giving them these four options to choose from.
I also have to agree with your comment regarding young individuals not pursuing prestigious colleges at a young age and will use myself as an example. I never finished my degree due to ADHD (although I’m actively working on changing that). I am, however, great with people. Leading is where I excel. I also know financial accounting since I spent 10 years working with them. I have spent a lifetime in animal advocacy. That work includes being a cofounder of a small animal organization that is still operating 10 years later and has had a huge impact on our community all without the use of grants. I’ve also been published advocating for captive wild animals and currently have a 27-page business plan drafted for a new nonprofit that will allow me to expand my reach while advocating for animals. However, due to not having a finished degree and having managerial titles vs. executive titles on my CV, the chances of me qualifying are quite slim.
With that being said, I haven’t bothered to apply because, quite frankly, none of these ideas interest me. They are a bit ahead of current times in my opinion. I think there are some fights that still need to be finished before we attempt to tackle what millions of people around the globe are eating. Not that I agree with factory farming by any means, but it’s difficult to find the motivation to advocate for a food source when we haven’t even effectively stopped people from buying puppies from puppy mills, slowed down the abuse and neglect of animals in countries like Egypt, slowed down mass culling of animals in certain countries, or even managed to convince Americans to stop going to circuses that use wild animals. Why would I jump into a project, putting my heart and soul into it, when I can see that society clearly isn’t ready for it yet because so many fights are still unresolved.
I also think there are much more pressing issues that should be addressed that better meet the idea of Effective Altruism. Wild animal welfare being one of those as it supports biodiversity which is what this planet needs to survive.