Against the Rules with Michael Lewis

On Background: Effective Altruism Still Has Friends

Jun 13, 2023

Gabriel Mukobi, a Stanford senior studying computer science, and aL Xin, a Harvard senior in statistics, are passionate leaders in effective altruism (EA). They explore the philosophy of EA, emphasizing data-driven approaches to altruism. The duo discusses the impact of Sam Bankman-Fried on the movement, the clash between immediate relief and long-term existential threats, and the personal sacrifices inherent in maximizing good. They tackle moral responsibilities and the evolution of their community in navigating ethics amidst global challenges.

34:27

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Episode guests

aL Xin

Gabriel Mukobi

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Quick takeaways

Effective altruism emphasizes evidence-based reasoning to maximize positive impact in the world.

The rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried has sparked discussions and self-reflection within the effective altruism community.

Deep dives

Summary of the Podcast Episode

The podcast episode provides insight into the world of effective altruism (EA) and its appeal to smart young people. The episode features interviews with college students, Al Shin and Gabriel Maccoby, who discuss the principles and debates within the EA community. They explain that EA emphasizes evidence-based reasoning to maximize the positive impact in the world. They also discuss the challenges of finding the right balance between personal happiness and altruistic pursuits. The episode also touches on the controversy surrounding the founder of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, who was initially aligned with the ideas of EA before the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange. The episode explores the ongoing discussions and self-reflection within the EA community in the aftermath of such events.

Intro

5min

Navigating Effective Altruism

4min

Exploring Effective Altruism and Its Distinctions from Ordinary Philanthropy

5min

Balancing Altruism and Personal Fulfillment

10min

Navigating the Priorities of Effective Altruism

4min

Navigating Moral Responsibility in Effective Altruism

11min

Unicycles, Bitcoin, and Life Optimization

6min

One-time crypto-currency king Sam Bankman-Fried was a big proponent of a philosophical movement known as “effective altruism,” or EA. Advocates of EA say we should use data and reason to find the best ways of doing good. EA’s popularity grew as investors like Bankman-Fried used it to guide generous donations to causes. Micheal Lewis speaks with two college students who got involved in effective altruism through clubs at their universities. Gabriel Mukobi and aL Xin explain the philosophy behind effective altruism and what impact the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried has had on the movement.

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