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Ask HN: What is the most efficient way to do good?

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Re: Ask HN: What is the most efficient way to do good?

#11

Post by warrenm »

simpixelated wrote: post #8
mytailorisrich wrote: post #2

I think the "most efficient" and effective way to do good is to look around near you, i.e. to see first-hand the issues and the effect of your actions.

I agree with this and similar posts suggesting they find local non-profits. There's probably no perfect answer to what's most "efficient" and I think that's probably the wrong way to look at it. As a single, non-billionaire, there's only so much you can do to help others. But, you will get much more satisfaction from seeing "first-hand" the "effect of your actions". Sending your money to some faceless global charity…

Even a single billionaire can only do a very tiny amount

There're [nominally] 8 billion people on the planet

A billion bucks is only twelve cents per person

Re: Ask HN: What is the most efficient way to do good?

#12

Post by nonameiguess »

This is impossible to answer and a seemingly constantly moving target. The truth of the premise relies upon a bunch of assumptions, including that other people are staffing the aid agencies, manning the ships that send supplies, directly providing aid in the field wherever it is needed, founding, running, and investing in companies that can pay you a high salary. That specific strategy might work perfectly well for the average marginal person searching the Internet from the US to figure out what they should do, but it can't be universalized, because if everyone tried to do it, the entire system would collapse on itself.

Just do whatever good you can do. If you're in a position where a high-paying job in the west is something you're likely to slip into anyway and none of the other roles you'd be relying on seem appealing or likely, then sure, donate some of that high salary. But we can't possibly recommend unqualified that everyone should do that.

Re: Ask HN: What is the most efficient way to do good?

#16

Post by hkxer »

mwest wrote: post #15

You have ~80,000 hours in your career. Make them count. :-) https://80000hours.org/

Especially in this next generation, an increasing number of people are not planning to work for 40 years. Personally, I’m on a path to retire by 36 (16 years of work). Many of my friends and colleagues are on the same path.

Re: Ask HN: What is the most efficient way to do good?

#17

Post by fnordpiglet »

Be aware of the world around you and do things to make it better. Close bugs in open source projects you use and understand. Help someone solve a problem you know how to solve and they don’t. Do what makes you happy and use that happiness to help you see more clearly than those around you who aren’t happy and can’t see clearly. Learn to meditate to silence your mind so you can be present enough to see when you can be most effective in helping do good. After you do these things, look at your excess and your experiences and you’ll know where to put your money to do the most good.

Re: Ask HN: What is the most efficient way to do good?

#19

Post by taxcoder »

kosasbest wrote: post #3

Do your research on charities. Does the CEO have an extortionate salary? Look in your local area. Donate to food banks if available. They will help people. Personally attend the depot where people gather items from food banks to see first-hand how helpful it is, if you don't believe your contribution is helpful. In my area, everything gets cleared each week.

Along with that, ask the charity what percentage of donated funds go to the cause or what percentage is used for overhead.
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