“Introducing The Spending What We Must Pledge” by Thomas Kwa 💸

Epistemic status: highly certain, or something

The Spending What We Must 💸11% pledge 

In short: Members pledge to spend at least 11% of their income on effectively increasing their own productivity.

This pledge is likely higher-impact for most people than the Giving What We Can 🔸10% Pledge, and we also think the name accurately reflects the non-supererogatory moral beliefs of many in the EA community.

Example

Charlie is a software engineer for the Centre for Effective Future Research. Since Charlie has taken the SWWM 💸11% pledge, rather than splurge on a vacation, they decide to buy an expensive noise-canceling headset before their next EAG, allowing them to get slightly more sleep and have 104 one-on-one meetings instead of just 101. In one of the extra three meetings, they chat with Diana, who is starting an AI-for-worrying-about-AI company, and decide to become a cofounder. The company becomes wildly successful, and [...]

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Outline:

(00:15) The Spending What We Must 💸11% pledge

(00:39) Example

(01:26) The 💸💸💸 Badge

(01:55) FAQ

(01:58) Is the pledge legally binding?

(02:08) What do you mean by effectively increasing productivity?

(02:33) Im an AI system. Can I take the 💸11% pledge?

(03:23) Why is the 💸11% pledge 3x more effective than the 🔸10% pledge?

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First published:
April 1st, 2025

Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/qCDad9dWE5hDkYevK/introducing-the-spending-what-we-must-pledge

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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