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While difficult, it's I think within the reach of just about every individual in the developed world to empathize with and extend a helping hand to those who we

by yboris 4y ago

While difficult, it's I think within the reach of just about every individual in the developed world to empathize with and extend a helping hand to those who were merely unlucky to be born into poverty. Giving What We Can is a community of thousands of people giving at least 10% of their pre-tax income to the most cost-effective charities they can find (consider GiveWell.org for research). I'm a proud member and hope more people join. I'm happy to share thoughts on how to cultivate the empathy and gather motivation to act to help others as well.

telotortium 4y ago
Does Giving What We Can have a pledge to continue spending money on humans in extreme poverty? No animal welfare, no AI risk, etc.? Unfortunately the effective altruism branding has become toxic for me in the past few years due to the fact that they are deciding not to focus just on poverty.
- Knufferlbert 4y ago
  From what I can tell you can choose where your donations go, so you can focus on poverty and let skynet exterminate us humans if you'd want. https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/donate/organizations https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/donate/organizations
- yboris 4y ago
  I'm sorry to hear effective altruism (EA) rubs you the wrong way. Giving What We Can predates EA and does not insist on where you give your money, only that you do it in good faith, focusing on "improv[ing] the lives of others". https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge Just because some EA people give to causes you don't agree with, why should it detract from or discourage you from joining the general mission: "focus[ing] on maximising the good you can do through your career, projects, and donations." You don't have to call yourself an effective altruist, but I hope you too recognize that focusing your efforts on what you have the most ability to control (informed by evidence you seek with an open mind) is a good thing to do. I'm happy to chat more about this - it's one of my favorite topics.

by yboris 4y ago

telotortium 4y ago

Does Giving What We Can have a pledge to continue spending money on humans in extreme poverty? No animal welfare, no AI risk, etc.? Unfortunately the effective altruism branding has become toxic for me in the past few years due to the fact that they are deciding not to focus just on poverty.

Knufferlbert 4y ago
From what I can tell you can choose where your donations go, so you can focus on poverty and let skynet exterminate us humans if you'd want. https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/donate/organizations https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/donate/organizations
yboris 4y ago
I'm sorry to hear effective altruism (EA) rubs you the wrong way. Giving What We Can predates EA and does not insist on where you give your money, only that you do it in good faith, focusing on "improv[ing] the lives of others". https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge Just because some EA people give to causes you don't agree with, why should it detract from or discourage you from joining the general mission: "focus[ing] on maximising the good you can do through your career, projects, and donations." You don't have to call yourself an effective altruist, but I hope you too recognize that focusing your efforts on what you have the most ability to control (informed by evidence you seek with an open mind) is a good thing to do. I'm happy to chat more about this - it's one of my favorite topics.