80,000 Hours Podcast

Benjamin Todd on varieties of longtermism and things 80,000 Hours might be getting wrong (80k team chat #2)

Sep 1, 2020
In this insightful chat, Arden Koehler, a researcher at 80,000 Hours, joins CEO Ben Todd to unpack various forms of longtermism. They explore patient longtermism versus urgent approaches, particularly concerning existential risks, and discuss how these perspectives shape career choices. The pair also tackle the balance between transferable and specialized career capital and question if they're focusing on the right problems. Their candid conversation highlights the complexities of doing good in an uncertain world.
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INSIGHT

Longtermism: Path Changes vs. Speed-Ups

  • Longtermism prioritizes actions' long-term effects, spanning millennia.
  • It emphasizes impactful "path changes" over mere "speed-ups" to progress.
INSIGHT

Patient vs. Urgent Longtermism

  • "Patient longtermism" prioritizes influential moments far in the future.
  • "Urgent longtermism" addresses moments in the next few decades.
INSIGHT

Broad vs. Targeted Longtermism

  • "Broad longtermism" acknowledges uncertainty about key influential moments.
  • "Targeted longtermism" identifies specific influential moments.
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