On one hand, I agree at least somewhat about the importance of preventing free riders. On the other hand, claiming that someone isn’t a “real” effective altruist makes them believe they’re less of an effective altruist, which makes them less committed to the cause. Conversely, every time a non-donating EA proclaims their EAness, it becomes a more integral part of their identity, raising their level of commitment to donating when they get income.
Only if they actually do it. It seems to follow that anyone willing to donate a symbolic dollar is already fairly likely to stay the course and therefore a low-priority target, whereas the people who wouldn’t donate the symbolic dollar are also the easiest to alienate.
On one hand, I agree at least somewhat about the importance of preventing free riders. On the other hand, claiming that someone isn’t a “real” effective altruist makes them believe they’re less of an effective altruist, which makes them less committed to the cause. Conversely, every time a non-donating EA proclaims their EAness, it becomes a more integral part of their identity, raising their level of commitment to donating when they get income.
Wouldn’t donating a symbolic dollar create even stronger psychological effect?
EA as a movement is about the idea that charity is not about engaging in symbolic actions but about actually having an effect.
Then people who don’t donate at all shouldn’t describe themselves as effective altruists.
They are aspiring effective altruists; they plan to donate in the future, but they may also change their minds later. Talk is cheap.
Only if they actually do it. It seems to follow that anyone willing to donate a symbolic dollar is already fairly likely to stay the course and therefore a low-priority target, whereas the people who wouldn’t donate the symbolic dollar are also the easiest to alienate.