“But there is a deeper issue, best illustrated by EA’s recent turn toward “longtermism.” The longtermist conceit offers a spectacular gamble on the future of human civilization, one that parallels SBF’s calculated bet that he could bluff crypto finance into the mainstream.– Ariel Ron
GAMBLING BIG ON THE FUTURE
The Contradictions of Effective Altruism: Ariel Ron, The American Prospect, Nov. 23, 2022 — The fallout from the implosion of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX is still playing out, but one thing is already clear. The disgrace of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has done significant reputational damage to the influential philanthropic movement called effective altruism, or EA. In recent years, EA has dramatically expanded its ambitions thanks, in part, to commitments in the $100 million range from Bankman-Fried, commonly known as SBF. Those commitments are worthless now, and as the magnitude of SBF’s frauds come into view, the EA community finds itself under an uncomfortable spotlight.
Sam Bankman-Fried, Effective Altruism, and the Question of Complicity: Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, Dec. 1, 2022
Is the Effective Altruism Movement in Trouble? Olúfẹ́mi O Táíwò and Joshua Stein, The Guardian, Nov. 16, 2022
Effective Altruism Committed the Sin It Was Supposed to Correct: Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, Nov. 17, 2022
The Good Delusion: Has Effective Altruism Broken Bad?: Linda Kinstler, 1843 Magazine, May 15, 2022
Effective Altruism: Not Effective and Not Altruistic: Megan Wu, The Phoenix, Mar. 31, 2022 — if you, like me, have stepped into Sci, Kohlberg, Singer, your dorm, Sharples, Trotter, or virtually any place on Swarthmore’s campus this semester, then you have probably seen a number of posters advertising Swarthmore Effective Altruism’s 8-week fellowship.
The Reluctant Prophet of Effective Altruism: Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, Aug. 8, 2022 – The philosopher William MacAskill credits his personal transfiguration to an undergraduate seminar at Cambridge.
The Moral Failing Of ‘Effective Altruism’: Emily Frey and Noah Giansiracusa, Boston Globe, Nov. 22, 2022 — In recent years, Silicon Valley has become downright philosophical. The tech community is currently in thrall to a buzzy movement known as effective altruism (EA), which argues that philanthropy should be data-driven and evidence-based.
Peter Singer: The Why and How of Effective Altruism: TED, YouTube, 2013 – If you’re lucky enough to live without want, it’s a natural impulse to help others in need. But, asks philosopher Peter Singer, what’s the most effective way to give charitably?
Is Effective Altruism to Blame for Sam Bankman-Fried?: Eric Levitz, The Intelligencer, Nov. 16, 2022 — Ten years ago, William MacAskill came to MIT in search of converts.
The Big Thing Effective Altruism (Still) Gets Right: Ezra Klein, NY Times, Dec. 4, 2022 — This is my annual giving column, so I won’t beat around the bush. I recommend donating to GiveWell’s four top-rated charities: the Malaria Consortium, the Against Malaria Foundation, Helen Keller International and New Incentives.
What is Effective Altruism?: Medicine Group, YouTube, 2021
Introduction to EA | Ajeya Cotra | EAGxBerkeley, YouTube, 2016