10% is just the number used to make EA seem approachable and avoid excessive "guilt tripping" when evangelizing. In that way it was chosen because it has been t

10% is just the number used to make EA seem approachable and avoid excessive "guilt tripping" when evangelizing. In that way it was chosen because it has been the socially accepted amount to donate for thousands of years. If you dive deeper into EA you will see that most of the thought leaders suggest far more than 10%, usually 50%, but no one wants to join a community that is guilt tripping you into giving away half your income.