Affective Old Truant
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effectivealtruist.bsky.social
Affective Old Truant
@effectivealtruist.bsky.social
I'm an effective altruist mainly reading and boosting posts, but occasionally I'll muse and doodle about effective altruism. I take a balanced approach, so will highlight under-represented views—my opinions will no doubt become apparent :)
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
MacAskill was explicitly trying to carve out a “what’s next” not make longtermism all of EA. He did a book tour for a new book, which was not the whole of what he cares about himself. I think it’s like saying socdems represent all lefties. Actually there are just wings and groups.
January 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
Brexit is dead but the body still lies in our living rooms. Get rid of it. Death by 1000 Brexit ameliorations is still death.

Take direct action by giving the ideal gift for Brexiteers in remorse and Remainers in remission.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FZLQW9TQ

#Trump #Putin #Brexit #RejoinEU
Reboot Britain : Brexit RIP: A better Britain in a better Europe for a better World
Buy Reboot Britain : Brexit RIP: A better Britain in a better Europe for a better World by Cook, Mr Peter, Clutterbuck, Dr Charlie, Hindley MEP, Mr Michael, Knott, Mr Terence, Ward, Ms Julie, Nowak, Ms Wendy, Forrester KC, Mr Ian, Cawthorne, Mr Paul, Ekins-Daukes, Mr Adrian, Sampson, Mr Mark (ISBN: 9798272535818) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
also I think, from my "adjacent" position, people undersell the extent to which the longtermism side of all of this is a product of a subset of EAs mostly in a specific region (albeit an influential one) that's not really *that* reflective of those elsewhere. bay area tech industry scene is weird!
January 2, 2026 at 4:07 PM
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Some otter on Bluesky saying "The CSAM button is Bad, Actually" does absolutely nothing to help or hinder Elon Musk.

Now, giving Musk government contracts worth billions, like Genocide Joe did? Yeah, that probably helped him.

Direct your ire toward actual malefactors, not safe substitutes.
January 5, 2026 at 7:25 PM
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I am *pretty sure* I am the only UK newspaper columnist who is EA-influenced and I am also I think the only one to have written critically about 'Longtermism'.
January 2, 2026 at 4:09 PM
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I never really trust anything that says that or “sources close to the manager/club” without giving direct quotes or naming them.
Could be the tea lady for all we know.
January 5, 2026 at 7:57 PM
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Oh. Yeah. I forgot about him. Running for Gov. of California. Famous democratic billionaires = Tom Steyer, Micheal Bloomberg, Reid Hoffman, and Dustin Moskovitz. Now, all of the sudden, Bernie is right.
December 31, 2025 at 12:20 PM
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I can’t believe THE Dustin Moskovitz was the first reply to my shitpost
January 2, 2026 at 4:36 AM
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yikes, that was a quick block. This was the post in question
January 2, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
One of the most popular versions today of the idea that there can be moral progress is the claim, much in vogue now, that such progress takes the form of what’s often called the expansion of the circle of empathy.

The brief life of longtermism (1) - Mapping Ignorance
Longtermism proposes that the lives of people who may exist hundreds of years from now have the same value as present ones
mappingignorance.org
September 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
It feels to me like what he's saying is 'lobbying is really effective' but for some reason it's only a problem when it's NGOs and charities do it, not say, the building industry
January 2, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
One of the most popular versions today of the idea that there can be moral progress is the claim, much in vogue now, that such progress takes the form of what’s often called the expansion of the circle of empathy.

The brief life of longtermism (1) - Mapping Ignorance
Longtermism proposes that the lives of people who may exist hundreds of years from now have the same value as present ones
mappingignorance.org
September 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
Hear hear. Taxation, and careful consideration of the proceeds in the fairest and most effective and equitable manner is surely the best means of distributing (excess) wealth. And so often we find the best charities are supported by tiny donations from those of little means. A stupid system.
January 3, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
'The Moral Circle': A Riveting Expansion of Ethical Concerns | Jeff Sebo's new book considers who matters, what matters, and why. bit.ly/40YLU7Y #Mindfulness #Psychology #Buddhism #Philosoph
November 20, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
14. Establish a private life.

Yes, do online security measures.

15. Contribute to good causes.

If you have the money. Vet charities well, though. Effective? Obeyed in advance?

16. Learn from peers in other countries.

Follow international news. Not a bad thing, but limited use.

Lost track/
January 3, 2026 at 1:37 PM
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- Peter Singer
- Sam Bankman-Fried
- the girl reading this
- George W. Bush (PEPFAR)
- Claude
January 2, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
DJT is FURIOUS after musicians cancel their shows left and right at the Kennedy Center in protest of his takeover! Here are some who have cancelled their shows:

Jazz legend Chuck Redd
Lin-Manuel Miranda 10-year-annvsy celebration of Hamilton.
Folk singer Rhiannon Giddens
Peter Wolf, J. Giels band
January 2, 2026 at 12:08 PM
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Peter Singer lässt grüßen.
Örks.
January 2, 2026 at 8:03 PM
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3 What If’s for 2026 - post acuity.design/three-for-wh...

Based on books from 2025
January 1, 2026 at 8:48 AM
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Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.

Elie Hassenfeld, the chief executive of the nonprofit GiveWell, makes the case for a more rigorous, transparent and accountable approach to charitable giving.
open.spotify.com/episode/1Ff6...

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
Opinion | What Does It Mean to Give Well?
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
The Emergency reminds us that facts alone don’t always reach the heart. Sometimes imagination is what exposes the deeper truth, about power, fear, ambition, and the quiet moral choices people make when systems fail.
January 1, 2026 at 11:45 AM
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How can charitable giving save the most lives possible? The organization GiveWell has dedicated itself to answering this question, its CEO Elie Hassenfeld says on this episode of “The Ezra Klein Show.”
Opinion | Donate This Holiday Season: The World’s Poorest Need Your Help
Elie Hassenfeld, the chief executive of the nonprofit GiveWell, makes the case for a more rigorous, transparent and accountable approach to charitable giving.
nyti.ms
December 16, 2025 at 7:42 PM
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13) “American Mother: A Life Reclaimed” — McCann/Foley

14) “Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires” — Rushkoff

15) “Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference” — Bregman

16) “Missbrauch, Macht & Medien” — Löffler
January 1, 2026 at 5:19 PM
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"There’s just this big challenge of going from a 2,000-person research study to a 100,000-person program that exists in the world." Elie Hassenfeld talks about the Y-RISE origin story (tl;dr why don't interventions scale?), among other things.
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.

Elie Hassenfeld, the chief executive of the nonprofit GiveWell, makes the case for a more rigorous, transparent and accountable approach to charitable giving.
open.spotify.com/episode/1Ff6...

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
Opinion | What Does It Mean to Give Well?
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
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2/2 Wie viel Spenden ist realistisch? Oft sind es nur ein paar Euro im Monat – aber mit großer Wirkung.
Der solida Spendenfinder zeigt dir passende Spendenmöglichkeiten in nur 4 Fragen.
December 31, 2025 at 11:06 AM