These days, the term "effective altruist" isn't as commonly used as it once was. Thanks largely to convicted felon Sam Bankman-Fried, more people now associate "effective altruism" with "cryptocurrency scams" rather than "donating to good causes." However, there is still a significant amount of work being done in line with the effective altruism worldview and its associated principles. This includes efforts to combat lead poisoning, address factory farming, fight diseases in poor countries, reform US kidney policy, and ensure the proper development of advanced AI.

Why the Downplaying of Effective Altruism May Not Be the Best

Many people believe that downplaying effective altruism and focusing solely on specific issues is for the best. But there are some who argue that having all these efforts under one umbrella makes sense. Even if there are benefits to learning from each other and collaborating, advertising the achievements rather than the umbrella itself might not be the most effective approach.

Section 1: The Concept of Earning to Give

Earning to give is a controversial effective altruist idea. It suggests that one way to make the world a better place is to take a high-paying job and donate a significant portion of that income to important, underfunded work. Not just any high-paying job is suitable; industries like tech and finance are generally considered acceptable. This contrasts with the more typical view that if you want to do good with your career, you should avoid high-salary corporate jobs and work directly at a nonprofit.There are obvious problems with the naive formulation of earning to give. Some jobs cause direct harm, and it's not always clear where to draw the line. For example, marketing addictive cigarettes is likely unacceptable, while working on advanced AI systems depends on one's assessment of potential social harm. People with high incomes often find it easy to deceive themselves about the social harm their jobs may cause. In many cases, doing good directly is more effective than paying others to do it, especially if you have rare and in-demand skills.Over the years, many people who initially followed the earning to give model have switched to directly working on important problems. This makes sense as there are likely many crucial tasks that require their skills rather than just their financial contributions.

Section 2: The Value of Earning to Give

There is a lot of important work that needs funding, and individual family donations can make a significant difference. Billionaire foundations can't cover everything, and it's better for organizations to be funded by motivated individuals. It also distorts their priorities less and is less politically awkward. Earning to give is unabashedly friendly to capitalism, which is a rare quality among do-gooders on the left. The last century has seen remarkable improvements in the world, and capitalism has played a huge role. People doing valuable things, often for selfish reasons, have contributed to this progress.During the holiday season, Vox is exploring every aspect of charitable giving. From donating 10 percent of your income to recommending specific charities, there are many ways to make a difference. Not every high-paying job is ethical, and it's important to consider the impact of your work. But generally, participating in the economy is a good thing.

Section 3: Capitalism and Earning to Give

Just as earning to give has its supporters, it also has its critics. Those who view capitalism negatively are unlikely to be enthusiastic about using it for altruistic purposes. But if you believe, like the author, that capitalism is a net good, then earning to give should be seen as a viable strategy. It allows you to do a lot of moral good through active participation in the capitalist system.If you are wealthy and have high-income jobs, it's important to consider making large annual donations. It may be difficult to budget and delay some personal projects, but the impact on the world can be enormous. We are the beneficiaries of the wealthiest society in history, and we have the means to use some of that wealth to make a difference.In conclusion, earning to give is a complex and controversial idea within the context of effective altruism. While it has its flaws and critics, it also offers a unique perspective and potential for making a significant impact. By considering different approaches and being aware of the implications, we can work towards making the world a better place.