[Article] “Doing good together: how to coordinate effectively and avoid single-player thinking” by Benjamin Todd

When we work together, we can do far more good in the world. We cover the basics of coordination and practical tips for doing it more effectively.

Narrated by AI.

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Outline:

(03:32) The bottom line

(05:46) Theory: what are the mechanisms behind coordination?

(06:41) Single-player communities and their problems

(15:41) Market communities

(20:33) How to avoid coordination failures in self-interested communities, and one reason it pays to be nice

(21:01) Through coordination structures

(22:17) Through common knowledge

(22:52) Through nice norms and reputation

(28:18) Preemptive and indirect trade

(32:47) Shared aims communities and 'trade+'

(36:22) To what extent is the effective altruism community a shared aims community?

(37:34) Summary: how can shared aims communities best coordinate?

(39:47) 1. Adopt nice norms to a greater degree

(39:52) Why follow cooperative norms?

(44:04) Be more helpful

(46:47) Withhold aid from those who don't cooperate

(51:21) Be more honest

(55:29) Be more friendly

(59:17) Be more willing to compromise

(01:03:34) How to get better at upholding norms?

(01:06:12) 2. Value 'community capital' and invest in community infrastructure

(01:06:19) What is community capital?

(01:07:56) How can you help to build community capital?

(01:09:15) The importance of the community's reputation

(01:12:35) Setting up community infrastructure

(01:16:30) Summary on community capital

(01:17:05) 3. Take the portfolio approach

(01:17:09) Introducing the approach

(01:19:23) Be more willing to specialise

(01:24:12) Do more to gain information

(01:26:33) Spread out more

(01:31:32) Consider your comparative advantage

(01:37:16) When deciding where to donate, consider splitting or thresholds

(01:40:10) Consider community investments as a whole

(01:41:08) Wrapping up on the portfolio approach

(01:41:47) Thinking about your career?

(01:42:09) Additional topic: How to attribute impact in communities

(01:42:15) Problems with a simple single-player approach, and the value of 'freed up' resources

(01:45:42) The problem of double counting

(01:46:46) Counterfactual impact can add up to more than 100%

(01:47:37) Solutions to the practical problem of double counting

(01:47:42) How common is the practical problem of double counting?

(01:49:54) Coupling and assigning credit

(01:53:45) What happens when you're part of several communities?

(01:55:32) Conclusion: moving away from a naive single-player analysis

(01:59:40) Learn more

(01:59:43) Top recommendations

(02:00:23) Further recommendations

(02:01:33) Read next

The original text contained 11 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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First published:
September 21st, 2018

Last updated:
February 26th, 2023

Source:
https://80000hours.org/articles/coordination

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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