“Part 3: No matter your job, here’s 3 evidence-based ways anyone can have a real impact” by Benjamin Todd

No matter which career you choose, anyone can make a difference by donating to charity, engaging in advocacy, or volunteering.

Unfortunately, many attempts to do good in this way are ineffective, and some actually cause harm.

Take sponsored skydiving. Every year, thousands of people collect donations for good causes and throw themselves out of planes to draw attention to whatever charity they’ve chosen to support. This sounds like a win-win: the fundraiser gets an exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime experience while raising money for a worthy cause. What could be the harm in that?

Quite a bit, actually. According to a study of two popular parachuting centres, over a five-year period (1991 to 1995) approximately 1,500 people went skydiving for charity and collectively raised more than £120,000. That sounds pretty impressive — until you consider a few caveats.

First, the cost of the diving expeditions came out of the donations.

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Outline:

(03:13) Donating effectively

(03:29) How much good can donations do? A lower bound

(07:10) How much sacrifice will this involve?

(08:15) How to have a bigger impact than being a doctor

(10:51) How is this possible?

(13:05) Take action right now

(14:23) What if you don’t want to give money? How to help through effective political advocacy

(16:30) Being a “multiplier” to help others be more effective

(20:50) Conclusion: anyone can make a difference

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First published:
April 6th, 2017

Source:
https://80000hours.org/career-guide/making-a-difference