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> And perhaps consider non-charitable donations to political organizations, given the impact of government policies. This part gets wayyyyy underplayed in EA [

> And perhaps consider non-charitable donations to political organizations, given the impact of government policies. This part gets wayyyyy underplayed in EA [0]. So many charities and nonprofits exist to resolve problems that are the result of policy decisions, and ceding that ground by focusing entirely on which to donate too is a losing battle from the start. For example, people being unable to afford life-saving medical care shouldn't be something that religious-affiliate groups even need to exist to resolve, it's a problem with how we've structured our economy overall. [0] edit: or not, see comment below!

civilitty 3y ago
People also significantly overestimate the amount of money required to make an impact. If it’s not a contentious issue like abortion, a little money to send some advocates (not expensive lobbyists but nonprofit volunteers) to DC or state capitols several times to regularly press the flesh with representatives goes a long way. People have just gotten too cynical thanks to the culture wars and partisanship.
- tech_ken 3y ago
  I think a big blocker here is that it's takes a lot of time and interpersonal connection to get people on board with a political plan. EA types want to be able to spend/design/research your way to a solution (I derogatively think of this as "Magic the Gathering politics"), but sometimes all that's required is to knock on 20 neighbors' doors and let them know about an upcoming vote they might be interested in, and having a strong enough relationship with them that they might listen. Someone like SBF does not seem like the type to have an authentic, positive connection with the people living in physical space near him.
  - s1artibartfast 3y ago
    >Someone like SBF does not seem like the type to have an authentic, positive connection with the people living in physical space near him Conversely, if you strip away all the FTX crypto hate and eat the rich sentiment, I actually find SBF quite charming and persuasive. I loved the interview he did with Matt lavine, and thought he was a clear and effective communicator. He probably could have gone far in politics if he didn't go into finance and if he wasnt ugly.
    - tech_ken 3y ago
      Interesting point. I guess on one level I feel like giving a good interview isn't really indicative of someone's actual character, the kind of political movement building I'm thinking of is a somewhat different skillset than just "presents well on screen" (though they can overlap!). With that said, presenting well on screen does help when you're running for office so he maybe could have gone far with that as you say. However as to whether he would have actually been a good and prudent public servant once in office seems unlikely to me, given his financial misdeeds and the narcissism that seems to be coming through all the post-hoc analysis.
    - jrumbut 3y ago
      > thought he was a clear and effective communicator He would not have come off that way if he hadn't severed the connection between what he was saying and the truth. Any dinner theater actor can give a good speech, it's giving a good speech without ignoring the messiness of reality that's difficult. If he had been a clear and effective communicator while describing using customer funds to buy houses and pay debts then he might have become president.
      - s1artibartfast 3y ago
        I don't think he said anything dishonest in the interview I mentioned. In fact he was widely criticized for the clear description of yeild farming he gave
    - roywiggins 3y ago
      > thought he was a clear and effective communicator conmen often are very effective communicators. It comes with the package.
    - JohnFen 3y ago
      > I actually find SBF quite charming and persuasive. I genuinely find that fascinating, because from the first I ever saw or heard him (before the FTX stuff erupted), my reaction was the exact opposite. My most charitable reaction was that he was a scammer.
- bongobingo1 3y ago
  https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/29/15100620/congress-fcc-isp-web-browsing-privacy-fire-sale https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/29/15100620/congress-fcc-isp... Higgins, Clay: $300
metalcrow 3y ago
It really does not. A tooon of EA discussion is about political activism, and 80,000 hours even recommends going into politics as a major high-impact career.
- tech_ken 3y ago
  Interesting, thanks for the correction!
- henryaj 3y ago
  To say nothing of all the policy/civil servant EAs out there!

civilitty 3y ago

People also significantly overestimate the amount of money required to make an impact. If it’s not a contentious issue like abortion, a little money to send some advocates (not expensive lobbyists but nonprofit volunteers) to DC or state capitols several times to regularly press the flesh with representatives goes a long way. People have just gotten too cynical thanks to the culture wars and partisanship.

tech_ken 3y ago
I think a big blocker here is that it's takes a lot of time and interpersonal connection to get people on board with a political plan. EA types want to be able to spend/design/research your way to a solution (I derogatively think of this as "Magic the Gathering politics"), but sometimes all that's required is to knock on 20 neighbors' doors and let them know about an upcoming vote they might be interested in, and having a strong enough relationship with them that they might listen. Someone like SBF does not seem like the type to have an authentic, positive connection with the people living in physical space near him.
- s1artibartfast 3y ago
  >Someone like SBF does not seem like the type to have an authentic, positive connection with the people living in physical space near him Conversely, if you strip away all the FTX crypto hate and eat the rich sentiment, I actually find SBF quite charming and persuasive. I loved the interview he did with Matt lavine, and thought he was a clear and effective communicator. He probably could have gone far in politics if he didn't go into finance and if he wasnt ugly.
  - tech_ken 3y ago
    Interesting point. I guess on one level I feel like giving a good interview isn't really indicative of someone's actual character, the kind of political movement building I'm thinking of is a somewhat different skillset than just "presents well on screen" (though they can overlap!). With that said, presenting well on screen does help when you're running for office so he maybe could have gone far with that as you say. However as to whether he would have actually been a good and prudent public servant once in office seems unlikely to me, given his financial misdeeds and the narcissism that seems to be coming through all the post-hoc analysis.
  - jrumbut 3y ago
    > thought he was a clear and effective communicator He would not have come off that way if he hadn't severed the connection between what he was saying and the truth. Any dinner theater actor can give a good speech, it's giving a good speech without ignoring the messiness of reality that's difficult. If he had been a clear and effective communicator while describing using customer funds to buy houses and pay debts then he might have become president.
    - s1artibartfast 3y ago
      I don't think he said anything dishonest in the interview I mentioned. In fact he was widely criticized for the clear description of yeild farming he gave
  - roywiggins 3y ago
    > thought he was a clear and effective communicator conmen often are very effective communicators. It comes with the package.
  - JohnFen 3y ago
    > I actually find SBF quite charming and persuasive. I genuinely find that fascinating, because from the first I ever saw or heard him (before the FTX stuff erupted), my reaction was the exact opposite. My most charitable reaction was that he was a scammer.
bongobingo1 3y ago
https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/29/15100620/congress-fcc-isp-web-browsing-privacy-fire-sale https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/29/15100620/congress-fcc-isp... Higgins, Clay: $300

metalcrow 3y ago

It really does not. A tooon of EA discussion is about political activism, and 80,000 hours even recommends going into politics as a major high-impact career.

tech_ken 3y ago
Interesting, thanks for the correction!
henryaj 3y ago
To say nothing of all the policy/civil servant EAs out there!