Putting it Into Practice (EAHK)

In the face of all you've learned about EA's arguments, what should you do?

• Learn more about key fields

• Do something immediately

• Take opportunities to move your career in a direction that is more likely to be relevant

• Connect with people who are interested in these topics

Answer explanation

Be vigiliant. Take whatever robustly good actions you can today, and otherwise put yourself in a better position to take important actions when the time comes. Don't rush to "do something" and then move on.

Why does Holden Karnofsky feel Effective Altruism is so exciting?

• You're encouraged and guided to find an impactful career that fits your talents, personality and interests.

• It feels good to help others.

• The average individual can have a much bigger impact that most people think.

• There is a lot of money in it.

Answer explanation

The average person working in an ordinary job can potentially save several lives a year, just by donating a measly 10% of their income. And if you focus on the right career, you can have an even bigger impact! It's not about needing to be superhuman, it's about doing the best that you can, given your personality, talents and interests.

Which of these is NOT one of 80,000 hours' key ideas?

• Find a path with more leverage to have an impact, such as working in government and policy

• Do something that is personally satisfying to you

• Invest in building up career capital

• Focus on whatever has the highest impact or helps others the most, no matter what sacrifices it takes.

Answer explanation

Two reasons against optimising for impact no matter what:

1) If a path feels like a struggle, it’s probably not sustainable or inspiring to others, and so probably not ideal even for your impact.

2) Also, the ends do not always justify the means; we must respect common sense moral constraints, such as against harming others.

It’s (a)   to support your local arts organization because their work gives you joy, because you want to be active in your community, or because they helped you and you want to reciprocate.

Answer explanation

Cost-effectiveness analysis is a very useful tool that more people and institutions should probably apply to more problems. But like any tool, this tool will not be applicable to all parts of your life.

When you make a decision, be clear with yourself about which goals you’re pursuing. You don’t have to argue that your choice is the best way of improving the world if that isn’t actually the goal.

It’s fine to support your local arts organization because their work gives you joy, because you want to be active in your community, or because they helped you and you want to reciprocate.

If you also have a goal of improving the world as much as you can, decide how much time and money you want to allocate to that goal, and try to use those resources as effectively as you can.

If your team wins today's quiz, which charity would you like to donate US$25 to? (Suggestions: GiveWell Top Charities Fund, EA Infrastructure Fund, Against Malaria Foundation, New Incentives...)