Anonymous contributors answer: Should the effective altruism community grow faster or slower? And should it be broader, or narrower?

Abstract

The effective altruism community faces a number of challenges in its pursuit of maximizing positive impact. Some respondents highlight the dangers of groupthink and the pressure to conform to a narrow set of viewpoints. Others express concern that the community can be too focused on “doing things” without sufficient consideration for unintended consequences. Several criticize the community for its “holier-than-thou” attitude and its lack of outreach to a broader audience. The community’s tendency to value exceptional work in ineffective roles is also mentioned as a concern. Some argue that there is insufficient focus on broader global catastrophic risks and that the community should be more media-savvy. Finally, respondents call for increased support for entrepreneurs, the development of a GiveWell-type ranking of charities working on the reduction of global catastrophic risks, and a more diverse representation of perspectives within the community. – AI-generated abstract.