On the margin^[1], it is better to work on reducing the chance of our^[2] extinction, than increasing the value of futures where we survive^[3]

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‘on the margin’ = think about where we would get the most value out of directing the next indifferent talented person, or indifferent funder.
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‘our’ and 'we' = earth-originating intelligent life (i.e. we aren’t just talking about humans because most of the value in expected futures is probably in worlds where digital minds matter morally and are flourishing)
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Through means other than extinction risk reduction.