EA Forum Podcast (All audio)

This is a link post. Thank you to Arepo and Eli Lifland for looking over this article for errors. I am sorry that this article is so long. Every time I thought I was done with it I ran into more issues with the model, and I wanted to be as thorough as I could. I’m not going to blame anyone for skimming parts of this article. Note that the majority of this article was written before Eli's updated model was released (the site was updated june 8th). His new model improves on some of my objections, but the majority still stand. Introduction: AI 2027 is an article written by the “AI futures team”. The primary piece is a short story penned by Scott Alexander, depicting a month by month scenario of a near-future where AI becomes superintelligent in 2027,proceeding to automate the entire economy in only [...] ---Outline:(00:45) Introduction:(05:21) Part 1: Time horizons extension model(05:27) Overview of their forecast(10:30) The exponential curve(13:18) The superexponential curve(19:27) Conceptual reasons:(27:50) Intermediate speedups(34:27) Have AI 2027 been sending out a false graph?(39:47) Some skepticism about projection(43:25) Part 2: Benchmarks and gaps and beyond(43:31) The benchmark part of benchmark and gaps:(50:03) The time horizon part of the model(54:57) The gap model(57:31) What about Eli's recent update?(01:01:39) Six stories that fit the data(01:06:58) ConclusionThe original text contained 11 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- First published: June 19th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/KgejNns3ojrvCfFbi/a-deep-critique-of-ai-2027-s-bad-timeline-models Linkpost URL:https://titotal.substack.com/p/a-deep-critique-of-ai-2027s-bad-timeline --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

This is a link post. This is a crosspost for In Defense of "Sweatshops" by Benjamin Powell, which was originally published on Econlib on 2 June 2008. For the full treatment, see Benjamin's book Out of Poverty: Sweatshops in the Global Economy (Cambridge Studies in Economics, Choice, and Society). “Because sweatshops are better than the available alternatives, any reforms aimed at improving the lives of workers in sweatshops must not jeopardize the jobs that they already have.” I do not want to work in a third world “sweatshop.” If you are reading this on a computer, chances are you don’t either. Sweatshops have deplorable working conditions and extremely low pay—compared to the alternative employment available to me and probably you. That is why we choose not to work in sweatshops. All too often the fact that we have better alternatives leads first world activists to conclude that there must be [...] ---Outline:(02:43) What are the Alternatives to Sweatshops?(06:34) What Determines Wages and Compensation?(14:09) ConclusionThe original text contained 10 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- First published: June 18th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/8HYP9m6BjZ9oxpNR7/in-defense-of-sweatshops Linkpost URL:https://www.econlib.org/library/Columns/y2008/Powellsweatshops.html --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

This is one of the memos I wrote for the 2025 Animal Advocacy Strategy Forum, which were encouraged to be highly opinionated to generate strategy discussion. In 2017, McDonald's refused to sign the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), and instead set eight Broiler Welfare Commitments to be achieved by the end of 2024. As far as I can tell, the movement responded to this by calling it humanewashing, and pushed harder for the BCC. But if McDonald's actually did do all the things they said they would, the impact on the broilers would likely be more impactful than the BCC. I’m surprised we don’t have more Good Cops collaborating with the industry on initiatives like this. If it does turn out to be humanewashing, we can push for alignment from the inside. It's not that this level of engagement isn't possible for NGOs - FAI Farms and WWF do [...] --- First published: June 18th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/tFHEyAtr6bx93H6XR/animal-advocates-are-too-reluctant-to-sit-at-the-industry-s --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Elitism in EA sparks strong emotions in people, and I worry that we are talking past each other. Rather than asking whether EA "is elitist" (which means different things to different people), this survey focuses on specific experiences and feelings to get to the real substance of the matter. This takes 5-30 minutes and your perspective matters. Feel free to skip the detailed descriptions if you want to save time. The survey covers thirteen key areas with contrasting viewpoints. Here's a list of actions you can take if you want to help: Click the “Agree” or “Disagree” button (NOT the karma arrows) on perspectives that resonate (or don’t) with your experience. To be clear: “Agree” if you find the perspective more resonant than not. “Disagree” if you find the perspective more dissonant than not. If you're unsure, don't click either button. Feel free to agree [...] --- First published: June 16th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/nbpBFnM65pGNZh58R/what-s-your-experience-with-elitism-in-ea-survey --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

In the latest edition of my Tactics In Practice (TIPs) series, I analyzed the research behind protest in the animal protest movement! The full resource is well worth reading for any activist who uses street demonstrations — check out the full thing here: Tactics In Practice: The Science Of Protests And Demonstrations. Key Highlights: Protest groups tend to have three main goals, shown below. I wasn't able to find empirical evidence on Goal 3 (positive or negative), but anecdotal conversations lead me to believe that protests can serve as good cultivation tools for other activists. But I was able to find more information on the other two goals. Protests can’t change people's diets; we need to pursue other targets. (That doesn't mean protest is a bad tactic! Just that it's ineffective if we apply it to the wrong target) All protest has some [...] --- First published: June 16th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/wjEbP9YHbTxDudwCT/the-impact-of-protest-on-animal-advocacy --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

10-second version of this post Expressions of interest for our upcoming AIM Grantmaking cohorts are now open: August 11 to September 27, 2025: Focus on Food Systems / Climate / Animal Welfare philanthropy Late 2025 or early 2026: Express interest now Express interest through our 2-minute form here. Overview What? AIM Grantmaking is a peer training course to equip you with the tools and skills you need to set up your giving for maximum impact. Who? For funders, grantmakers, philanthropic advisors. Run by Ambitious Impact. How long? 7 weeks total: 6 weeks online, 1 week in person in London Key features: Learn or refresh how to choose your niche, source grantees, and identify the best Discuss and collaborate weekly with a cohort of 6-8 peer funders Connect to our philanthropic network Weekly 1on1 mentorship Requires 3 hours / week​​ of your time 100% free of charge Upcoming [...] ---Outline:(00:13) 10-second version of this post(00:43) Overview(01:57) Testimonials(03:36) How to express interest--- First published: June 17th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/xasJ7XYsZjqRJ2C23/aim-grantmaking-program-for-funders-upcoming-cohorts --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

In her office nestled in the corner of constellation, Amina is checking in with her employee Diego about his project – a new AI alignment technique. It's 8pm and the setting sun is filling Amina's office with a red glow. Diego is clearly running a sleep deficit, and 60% of Amina's mind is on a paper deadline next week. 1: Hopelessness Diego: I’m feeling quite hopeless about the whole thing. Amina: About the project? I think it's going well, no? Diego: No, I mean the whole thing. AI safety. It's so hard for me to imagine the work I’m doing actually moving the p(doom) needle. Amina: This happens to a lot of people in the bay. There are too many doomers around here! Personally I think the default outcome is that we won’t get paperclipped, we’re just addressing a tail risk. Diego: That's not really what I mean. It's [...] ---Outline:(00:38) 1: Hopelessness(11:02) 2: The metacrisis movement(21:58) 3: The root cause of existential risk(35:31) Wanna read more about the metacrisis (and related ideas)?--- First published: June 17th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/w3zfrpg4YuHQKKSEG/the-root-cause --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

If you're a UK voter, use this link right now (on or before 15th June), to email your MP, encouraging them to attend the upcoming debate on ending the use of cages in the UK, and asking them to support the petition. This takes 2 minutes if you use the existing template and requires only your name, address and email. Contextual information: This campaign is part of CIWF's 'End the Cage Age' initiative. The debate is a result of a petition which successfully achieved 100,000+ signatures. The debate is scheduled for Monday 16th June at 4:30pm. Note: I'm not officially affiliated with this campaign in any way, am simply sharing as it seems like a broadly valuable action that people on the Forum would be interested in! --- First published: June 14th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/9kJuH3n2RActZoicY/uk-voters-take-2-mins-by-15th-june-to-help-end-uk-cage-usage --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Earlier this year, we launched a request for proposals (RFP) from organizations that fundraise for highly cost-effective charities. The Livelihood Impact Fund supported the RFP, as did two donors from Meta Charity Funders. We’re excited to share the results: $1,565,333 in grants to 11 organizations. We estimate a weighted average ROI of ~4.3x across the portfolio, which means we expect our grantees to raise more than $6 million in adjusted funding over the next 1-2 years. Who's receiving funding These organizations span different regions, donor audiences, and outreach strategies. Here's a quick overview: Charity Navigator (United States) — $200,000 Charity Navigator recently acquired Causeway, through which they now recommend charities with a greater emphasis on impact across a portfolio of cause areas. This grant supports Causeway's growth and refinement, with the aim of nudging donors toward curated higher-impact giving funds. Effectief Geven (Belgium) — $108,000 Newly incubated, with [...] ---Outline:(00:49) Who's receiving funding(04:32) Why promising applications sometimes didn't meet our bar(05:54) What we learned--- First published: June 16th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/prddJRsZdFjpm6yzs/open-philanthropy-reflecting-on-our-recent-effective-giving --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Each year, Animal Charity Evaluators (ACE) invites animal charities from around the world to apply for our in-depth evaluations. Our goal is to identify the most impactful giving opportunities for donors seeking to contribute to a world where all animals can flourish. We are thrilled to announce that 10 charities have been selected for this year's charity evaluations, based on their excellent applications and the highly promising nature of their work. Among these are six current Recommended Charities that are being re-evaluated before their two-year recommendation status expires: Faunalytics, Legal Impact for Chickens, New Roots Institute, Shrimp Welfare Project, The Humane League, and Wild Animal Initiative. On November 4, 2025, some of this year's evaluated charities will be awarded ACE's two-year recommendation status, joining the five charities recommended in 2024: Aquatic Life Institute, Çiftlik Hayvanlarını Koruma Derneği, Dansk Vegetarisk Forening, Good Food Fund, and Sinergia Animal. All charities evaluated [...] ---Outline:(01:43) Our Selection Process(02:38) Invitations(03:06) Eligibility screening(03:51) In-depth questions(04:20) Researcher assessment and scoring(04:57) Discussion and shortlisting(05:21) Follow-up questions and clarification(05:43) Team scoring and further discussion(06:03) Charity calls(06:29) Final decision(06:50) Selected Charities(07:08) Animal Welfare Observatory(07:45) Better Food Foundation(08:18) Ethical Seafood Research(09:02) Faunalytics(09:42) Legal Impact for Chickens(10:16) New Roots Institute(10:58) Shrimp Welfare Project(12:01) Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira(13:01) The Humane League(13:35) Wild Animal Initiative--- First published: June 16th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/Fw8AMFZEqGYPLeCsz/announcing-the-animal-charities-under-evaluation-in-2025 --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.