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Introduction to

Effective Altruism

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Julia Wise

Jeff Kaufman

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Is it the thought that counts?

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Ways charity goes wrong

Giving based on what makes donors feel good, not what recipients need

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Ways charity goes wrong

  • “Give locally” = Money stays in rich communities

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  • US median household income: $43,500

Liberia median household income: $780

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Ways charity goes wrong

Lack of feedback to donors

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Ways charity goes wrong

Not selecting the best interventions

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  • Cost to train a guide dog: $50,000
  • Cost to restore sight via cataract surgery in Africa: $100

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How to evaluate charities

Most common: ratio of “overhead” to program expenses

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“Only 10% spent on overhead” = good charity?

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How to evaluate charities

  • Is the cause worthwhile?

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  • Do they have a realistic plan?

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  • Are they carrying out this plan?

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  • How much does it cost?

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GiveWell

Evaluates charities on:

  • demonstrated impact
  • transparency
  • room for more funding

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Outside of global poverty

  • Animal suffering

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  • Catastrophic risk

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  • Policy changes

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Is money the only way?

  • Direct work in the field

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  • Research

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  • Policy

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  • Outreach

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Use your career better

  • Average career = 80,000 hours

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  • 80,000 Hours organization provides career advice to increase your impact

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Make your donation go farther

impact

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Make your donation go farther

  • Give more

impact

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Make your donation go farther

  • Give more

impact

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Make your donation go farther

  • Give more
  • Give better

impact

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Make your donation go farther

  • Give more
  • Give better

impact

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Giving What We Can

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  • Members pledge to give at least 10%

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  • Students pledge 1%

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Summary

  • Global poverty poses severe problems for over a billion people

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  • Many of these problems have known solutions

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  • Because of extreme global income disparities, we have the power to implement these solutions

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What can we do?

  • Use time and money to make a big difference

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  • Move society toward caring about effectiveness

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Resources

  • www.givewell.org

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  • www.80000hours.org

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  • www.givingwhatwecan.org

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  • www.effectivealtruism.org

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