Building an effective altruism community

Abstract

Investing in the effective altruism (EA) community, which aims to solve major world problems, could be highly impactful. The EA community has achieved impressive results, directing millions of dollars and talented individuals toward pressing issues. Their work seems neglected compared to directly working on specific causes. Investing in the community could lead to multiplied returns, robustness to uncertainty, and capacity-building opportunities. However, concerns exist, including potential self-serving motives, lack of direct impact evidence, and the risk of prioritizing community building over real problem-solving. The decision between direct cause work and EA community investment should depend on various factors, including impact uncertainty, personal fit, and whether direct work may also contribute to community building. – AI-generated abstract.