11–20 of 417 posts
A lot of people in EA have poor social skills and a lot of people in the community become friends and lovers. That probably explains most of this phenomenon.
You seem to be implying that "poor social skills" are a valid excuse for sexual misconduct?
EA appeals to exactly that kind of really-smart-person who is perfectly capable of convincing themselves that they're always right about everything. And from there, you can justify all kinds of terrible things.
Once that happens, it can easily spiral out from there. People who know perfectly well they're misbehaving will claim that they aren't, using the same arguments. It won't hold water, but now we're swamped, and the entire thing crumbles.
I'd love to believe in effective altruism. I already know that my money is more effective in the hands of a food bank than giving people food myself. I'd love to think that could scale. It would be great to have smarter, better-informed people vetting things. But I don't have any reason to trust them -- in part because I know too many of the type of people who get involved and aren't trustworthy.
One item caught my eye: >>There are also cases where I find a report to be alarming and would like to take action, but the person reporting does not want it known that they spoke up. In these cases, sometimes there’s very little that can be done without breaking their confidentiality.
Yikes. That would not meet reporting standards at most organizations I've been a part of. There are a lot of hard lessons behind requiring mandatory investigation of credible claims.
Also, arguments for polyamory are just that, arguments. You certainly can press someone into it, but from the article, the impression that it is more like persuasion.
Regarding cult dynamics - any tight knit community feels like this. Be it psychedelics users, health nuts, athletes etc etc. All of these will have takes that outsiders will consider unusual and weird.
The worst thing about being smart is how easy it is to talk yourself into believing just about anything. After all, you make really good arguments. EA appeals to exactly that kind of really-smart-person who is perfectly capable of convincing themselves that they're always right about everything. And from there, you can justify all kinds of terrible things. Once that happens, it can easily spiral out from there. Peopl…
Personally, I started "tithing" when my first business was a success. In part because it's good to help the less fortunate, but also as an ethical stance. Having a business drove home that no business can be successful without the support of the community it starts in, so it's only right to share in the rewards.
So, I give 10% back. I have rules about it:
I always give to a local group who directly helps people and who is typically overlooked for charitable giving. I get to know the group pretty well first.
I never give to any group that won't keep my identity a secret.
I never give to any group that asks me for money.
I don't always give in the form of money. Sometimes, it's in the form of my time and effort, or in material goods, etc.
I don't give to "umbrella" groups whose purpose is fundraising for a collection of other groups. This isn't because I have a problem with them, but because they're not the ones who struggle the most to get donations.
The article links to this EA community post on 'interpersonal harm' in the community, which I found interesting. https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/NbkxLDECvdGuB95gW/... One item caught my eye: >>There are also cases where I find a report to be alarming and would like to take action, but the person reporting does not want it known that they spoke up. In these cases, sometimes there’s very little that can be do…
There are similar practices regarding rape - victims can seek e.g. securing the biological evidence without automatically triggering a criminal investigation. The logic being that this (critical) step should be as risk-free / barrier-free as possible.
> There are a lot of hard lessons behind requiring mandatory investigation of credible claims.
Worth keeping in mind that companies are always primarily trying to cover their backs and these policies often reflect that.
If there are less cases of abuse than among generic populace, it is weird to blame the movement. From the article, it is hard to understand that EA is somehow worse than most of the USA. Also, arguments for polyamory are just that, arguments. You certainly can press someone into it, but from the article, the impression that it is more like persuasion. Regarding cult dynamics - any tight knit community feels like this…
Which have nothing whatever to do with effective altruism. So it's perfectly reasonable for a person who came to a gathering expecting to talk about effective altruism, to be uncomfortable, to say the least, when she finds herself getting proselytized about polyamory.
The worst thing about being smart is how easy it is to talk yourself into believing just about anything. After all, you make really good arguments. EA appeals to exactly that kind of really-smart-person who is perfectly capable of convincing themselves that they're always right about everything. And from there, you can justify all kinds of terrible things. Once that happens, it can easily spiral out from there. Peopl…
Conventional wisdom would say that wielding wealth and power like effective altruism demands requires humility, compassion, and maturity. It requires wisdom. Effective altruism can seem to remove the need for that. Doing good is about calculation, not compassion! Interpersonal failings don't matter if someone is really good with C++. One needn't care about the feelings of others if there are more efficient ways to use the time.
Effective altruism calls on the rich and capable to recognize their own power to help those who are poor and helpless. However, it is easy for pity to turn to contempt and for clarity of purpose to turn to arrogance. The poor, hungry, and sick of the world need the effective altruist for a savior. The effective altruist is better than the rest because they are making the world a better place.
An effective altruist may confuse immaturity with wisdom and greed with generosity.
This is not meant to be a diatribe. I find much of effective altruism obviously true and find my exposure to it has made me a better person. If pressed, I would probably call myself an effective altruist. Still, it is greatly concerning that people like Elon Musk or Sam Bankman-Fried can be associated with effective altruism without any real hypocrisy.