I felt a visceral negative reaction to the idea of giving aid first when I realized they weren’t going to give me the ‘very long story’ (what a cop-out, I thought, because I do have concerns)
Sure, so I think that the situation is that most people are too impatient to listen to the ‘very long story’ so that it’s useful to condense the basic points into a few minute narrative. But since you’re the sort of person who’s receptive to very long stories there are superior options for you. The three links below provide a good starting point for the ‘very long story.’
Also, in fairness to the video I think it’s important to note that they link to the website for The Life You Can Save which has a link to GiveWell and which also begins to provide an indication of where the “wave” is at the moment.
I know that I am sensitive to emotional manipulation, and react to such manipulation by bristling defensively. (For example, I cannot watch the news or listen to country music.) So that could explain it, or it just might not be very effective. Perhaps it goes too far, and the message only works if it is more subtle?
Thank you for sharing your reaction, which I find illuminating. It did not occur to me that some people might react in this way because I do not and do not know anybody in person who has professed to having this reaction, but there’s the usual Generalizing From One Example issue and the selection effect that comes from the people who I spend time with.
In any case, your reaction definitely helps me better understand where timtyler and cousin it might be coming from.
Anyway, I would say that the “What if it was your daughter” line in the linked video helps some people overcome bias for the reason that I gave in my responses to cousin it, but that it appears to be ineffective or worse for other people. It would be very good to know about the relative frequencies of these populations among people who are potentially interested in developing world aid.
I thought the video picked up from there. I liked the idea of a ‘wave’ and that idea was strong enough (in theory) to induce me to give aid. What was missing at the end, I think, was some evidence of the wave. For example, how many people on Facebook gave aid on this wave or what fraction of my friends?
So, I think that the situation is that at present there are very few people who are giving money to effective charities which improve health in the developing world but that with the internet and resources like GiveWell there are prospects for this changing significantly. For some indication of where the “wave” is now, see:
The Facebook group for “Giving What We Can.”
The information under the “who pledges” links on the website for The Life You Can Save.
Sure, so I think that the situation is that most people are too impatient to listen to the ‘very long story’ so that it’s useful to condense the basic points into a few minute narrative. But since you’re the sort of person who’s receptive to very long stories there are superior options for you. The three links below provide a good starting point for the ‘very long story.’
GiveWell’s International Charities Page
GiveWell’s page on standard of living in the developing world
Holden’s comments on Population and Health
Also, in fairness to the video I think it’s important to note that they link to the website for The Life You Can Save which has a link to GiveWell and which also begins to provide an indication of where the “wave” is at the moment.
Thank you for sharing your reaction, which I find illuminating. It did not occur to me that some people might react in this way because I do not and do not know anybody in person who has professed to having this reaction, but there’s the usual Generalizing From One Example issue and the selection effect that comes from the people who I spend time with.
In any case, your reaction definitely helps me better understand where timtyler and cousin it might be coming from.
Anyway, I would say that the “What if it was your daughter” line in the linked video helps some people overcome bias for the reason that I gave in my responses to cousin it, but that it appears to be ineffective or worse for other people. It would be very good to know about the relative frequencies of these populations among people who are potentially interested in developing world aid.
So, I think that the situation is that at present there are very few people who are giving money to effective charities which improve health in the developing world but that with the internet and resources like GiveWell there are prospects for this changing significantly. For some indication of where the “wave” is now, see:
The Facebook group for “Giving What We Can.”
The information under the “who pledges” links on the website for The Life You Can Save.
The information under “about us” at the website for Giving What We Can.