This felt like I was talking to myself/ reading what I’d have written (although I’m 100% certain I couldn’t articulate this well!). My struggle is that I yo-yo with longtermism, which is not to say that I don’t believe in it, but I find it hard to balance what I do/want to do in my career with what I’d like its or other action that I dos long term impact to be, i.e. enough to positively influence longtermism. I’m currently job hunting (my experience is in the global health sector, and the sector is in such a state since USAID’s collapse!) and looking for an impactful pivot, but I find myself struggling to balance what a role can do for longtermism—because of which I am whiling away my present. Gah this isn’t easy! Thanks again for this brilliant piece—still in favour of longtermism, just need to find the right balance!
Trupti Kulkarni
Karma: 2
What a gripping read, I’m glad I ordered the book a few weeks ago when reading up on existential risks, and now I can’t wait to get the book! I went into the topic (longtermism) not knowing (or knowing?) that I don’t care, but I find myself slowly opening up to understanding how deep the impact of how the Earth has evolved and how past generations have had such a hand in what shapes everything that we do today, that truly, we do owe the future. The next read, whilst I wait for the book to arrive, is ‘Why I find longtermism hard, and what keeps me motivated’, and I’m eager to see how that holds—both this chapter and how I receive and respond to it.
This was such a great read, very practical advice and tips, thank you Vaidehi! Getting rejected at the interview stage hits harder than not being shortlisted for the interview, so my strong instinct is also to apply anyway. Where I struggle is when EA applications ask questions as part of the first round, in addition to cover letters and CVs; that always throws me off in that how much time should I spend writing those answers!