Episode 274: Can I Get a Kidney Voucher? (with Vlad Chituc)
Dec 13, 2023
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Guest Vlad Chituc, returning guest, discusses donating his kidney, effective altruism movement, and his sexuality. They debate the role of neuroscience in climate change research and the skepticism towards it. Virtual conferences, academic footprint, TMS, and effective altruism are also discussed. They share personal experiences with anesthesia and fear of unconsciousness. The dangers of surgery, criticisms and limitations of effective altruism, and the turn to long-termism are explored.
Effective altruism focuses on evidence-based approaches for maximizing positive impact through actions like directing funds to effective charities.
Living organ donation can make a significant difference in someone's life and inspire others to consider organ donation.
Organ donation should be seen as a probabilistic decision based on the best available information, with options like giving vouchers to loved ones and the rarity of family members experiencing kidney disease.
Effective altruism should prioritize addressing immediate suffering and inequalities rather than focusing solely on preventing potential future catastrophes like the AI apocalypse.
Deep dives
The Influence of Effective Altruism
Vlad shares his initial interest in effective altruism, particularly inspired by Peter Singer's "Famine, Affluence, and Morality" argument. He acknowledges the movement's focus on evidence-based approaches for maximizing positive impact, such as directing funds to effective charities like GiveDirectly and Against Malaria Foundation.
Vlad's Kidney Donation
Vlad talks about his decision to donate his kidney after being influenced by reading about others' experiences and realizing the potential for making a significant difference in someone's life. He emphasizes the importance of being open about it to inspire others and normalize the idea of living organ donation, sharing his positive experience and the impact it has had on recipients.
Addressing Criticisms
Vlad addresses common criticisms of effective altruism, including concerns about focusing on individual actions over systemic change and the hypothetical scenario of a family member needing a kidney. He highlights the rarity of family members experiencing kidney disease and the option of giving vouchers to loved ones, clarifying that organ donation should be seen as a probabilistic decision based on the best available information.
The Benefits and Decision Process
Vlad reflects on the benefits of donating his kidney, including the satisfaction of knowing he made a meaningful difference in someone's life. He also shares the impact of open discussions about his decision, inspiring others to consider organ donation. Vlad emphasizes the relatively minor impact on his own life and the overall positive experience of the donation process.
The Shift to Long-Termism in Effective Altruism
The podcast discusses the shift towards long-termism in the effective altruism movement. Long-termism focuses on preventing potential future catastrophes, such as the AI apocalypse, rather than addressing immediate suffering and inequalities. The speaker criticizes this shift, arguing that it undermines the core principles of effective altruism and is driven by self-interest and concern for personal interests. They highlight the lack of evidence or effectiveness in addressing long-term AI concerns, and the potential negative impact this shift has on prioritizing urgent global issues.
Individualism and Lack of Systemic Approach
Another criticism raised is the individualistic approach of effective altruism, which focuses on personal actions and donations rather than addressing systemic problems and inequality. This approach reinforces the status quo and does not always challenge the underlying structures that perpetuate suffering and inequality. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the systemic nature of social issues and the need for collective action and solidarity to bring about meaningful change.
The Importance of Human Connection and Personal Engagement
The speaker shares their own personal experience with grief, which made them reconsider their moral priorities. They express the importance of personal connections and the impact individuals can have on the lives of others in their immediate surroundings. They highlight the value of being present and actively engaged in making a concrete difference in the lives of those around them, rather than focusing solely on grand global ambitions. This shift in perspective leads to a more meaningful and effective approach to altruism.
RETURNING guest Vlad Chituc joins us for a wide-ranging discussion about donating his kidney to a stranger, the effective altruism movement, and his sexuality. Was EA’s turn to ‘long-termist’ goals like preventing evil AI inevitable? Have they strayed too far from their Peter Singer/Jeremy Bentham inspired roots? And why won’t David and Tamler donate their kidneys? Plus a new article in Nature Climate Change argues that neuroscience can help the environment – can I interest you in some virtual trees?
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