LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “Parkinson’s Law and the Ideology of Statistics” by Benquo
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Jan 13, 2025 Dive into the critique of a World Bank intervention in Lesotho, where sparse data led to misguided conclusions and failed programs. Discover the importance of historical context and ethnographic research in improving decision-making. The discussion also highlights the economic challenges local communities face, such as limited access to resources. Lastly, the need for a shift away from purely statistical evidence in development policies is emphasized, advocating for tailored solutions that truly reflect local needs.
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Ideology of Statistics
- The World Bank's ideology prioritizes statistics over other forms of evidence, like personal experience.
- This limits effective altruism by favoring distant interventions based on data over local, direct help.
Lesotho Case Study
- The World Bank overlooked key information in Lesotho, like land ownership and agricultural potential.
- This led to ineffective recommendations based on limited data.
Alternative Interventions
- Investigate land ownership, agricultural yields, and market access to identify economic opportunities.
- Assess capital access and political risks to inform potential interventions.