The Nonlinear Library EA - Small simple way to promote effective giving while making people feel good by DMMF
Aug 23, 2024
02:32
Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Small simple way to promote effective giving while making people feel good, published by DMMF on August 23, 2024 on The Effective Altruism Forum.
I'm a big fan of small, underrated acts that can have outsized positive impact (both in terms EA and in life more generally). I'd like to share one such practice I've incorporated into my life this year that brings me joy and I think some others here would enjoy: redirecting money owed to me towards Givewell recommended charities.
Whenever someone owes me money or is trying to solicit my time, instead of asking for direct payment, I request they instead contribute that amount to a GiveWell-recommended charity. This comes up in several contexts:
1. Friends repaying me miscellaneous expenses
2. Buyers purchasing items from me (ie selling something used online)
3. Being solicited for my participation in programs or sales pitches
I appreciate this just sounds like "Isn't this just offsetting your own charitable giving?" But I believe this approach creates additional value beyond the off-set donation:
1. Exposure Effect: By enabling others to donate, they learn about GiveWell, experience the act of giving, and potentially become more likely to donate to effective causes in the future. My observation is that most people who have made donations through this often feel very happy about having done so.
2. Social Lubrication: With friends, arranging repayment for small amounts can be awkward. Suggesting a charitable donation instead often feels more socially graceful and reduces friction.
3. Price Elasticity of Altruism: When selling items, I've noticed people are often willing to agree to a higher price if it's going to charity rather than my pocket. It's as if we're suddenly on a joint mission to do good zero sum negotiation.
4. Solicitation Arbitrage: I'm contacted through my work with near constant offers to meet someone in exchange for an Amazon GC. I've found people are often willing to donate x2.5 the amount to an effective charity instead of what they'd pay me directly. It's like discovering a hidden exchange rate between corporate incentives and altruism.
5. Memetic Spread: The quirkiness of this approach often leads people to share their experience, potentially spreading Givewell recommended charities further.
I don't want to pretend this has a major impact, but it brings me joy, creates positive externalities, and serves as a constant reminder of our capacity to do good in small, everyday interactions.
Thanks for listening. To help us out with The Nonlinear Library or to learn more, please visit nonlinear.org
I'm a big fan of small, underrated acts that can have outsized positive impact (both in terms EA and in life more generally). I'd like to share one such practice I've incorporated into my life this year that brings me joy and I think some others here would enjoy: redirecting money owed to me towards Givewell recommended charities.
Whenever someone owes me money or is trying to solicit my time, instead of asking for direct payment, I request they instead contribute that amount to a GiveWell-recommended charity. This comes up in several contexts:
1. Friends repaying me miscellaneous expenses
2. Buyers purchasing items from me (ie selling something used online)
3. Being solicited for my participation in programs or sales pitches
I appreciate this just sounds like "Isn't this just offsetting your own charitable giving?" But I believe this approach creates additional value beyond the off-set donation:
1. Exposure Effect: By enabling others to donate, they learn about GiveWell, experience the act of giving, and potentially become more likely to donate to effective causes in the future. My observation is that most people who have made donations through this often feel very happy about having done so.
2. Social Lubrication: With friends, arranging repayment for small amounts can be awkward. Suggesting a charitable donation instead often feels more socially graceful and reduces friction.
3. Price Elasticity of Altruism: When selling items, I've noticed people are often willing to agree to a higher price if it's going to charity rather than my pocket. It's as if we're suddenly on a joint mission to do good zero sum negotiation.
4. Solicitation Arbitrage: I'm contacted through my work with near constant offers to meet someone in exchange for an Amazon GC. I've found people are often willing to donate x2.5 the amount to an effective charity instead of what they'd pay me directly. It's like discovering a hidden exchange rate between corporate incentives and altruism.
5. Memetic Spread: The quirkiness of this approach often leads people to share their experience, potentially spreading Givewell recommended charities further.
I don't want to pretend this has a major impact, but it brings me joy, creates positive externalities, and serves as a constant reminder of our capacity to do good in small, everyday interactions.
Thanks for listening. To help us out with The Nonlinear Library or to learn more, please visit nonlinear.org