Will MacAskill is doing an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit right now. Even if you see this after the AMA concludes, it's worth checking out if you want Dr. MacAskill's perspective on unique questions from effective altruists and the world at large. Note: questions will only be answered on Reddit. Please don't post questions you have for Dr. MacAskill in the comments here.
Hi reddit,
My name is William MacAskill and I believe in “effective altruism” and have made it my life’s mission. I’m a professor in philosophy at Oxford University and I've co-founded two non-profits: 80,000 Hours, which provides research and advice on how you can best make a difference through your career, and Giving What We Can, which encourages people to commit to give at least 10% of their income to the most effective charities. Together we have over $400 million in lifetime pledges.
My first book was published this week Doing Good Better. The book explores the question “How can I make the biggest difference” backed up by evidence and reason instead of impulse or hearsay. If you’re interested, you can see an article here, or sign up at effectivealtruism.com and you can read a free chapter.
Personally, I donate everything above $35,000 a year to organizations that I believe will do the most good (reasons here), and also plan on donating all profits from the book as well.
Excited to be here so please AMA about what charities actually do good, how you can do more good in your lifetime, effective altruism, social entrepreneurship, book publishing, academia, or whatever else you may have on your mind!
Proof: https://twitter.com/willmacaskill/status/628277924689375232