EA Wiki: FAQ

First, check that the topic is not already covered by an entry with a different name. Once you have confirmed that the Wiki is missing an article for this topic, you can propose it here and receive feedback. [Note: this is mostly on hiatus right now, as of May 2023, although admins and users might still discuss your proposal with you.] We recommend this option for most new entries, since it gives experienced users the chance to make useful suggestions. Alternatively, you can also create the entry without asking for feedback. This approach may be appropriate if you think the entry is clearly worth adding (e.g. an entry for GiveWell's newest top charity). However, the entry may be removed if the admins decide that it fails to meet our criteria for inclusion.

If you don't want to install Zotero, you can still access to our Zotero library and search for the work you want to reference.  If you find it, you will get the correct format doing the following:

1. Click on it to select it.
2. Click on the books icon on top ('Create Bibliography').
3. Choose the 'Effective Altruism Wiki' citation style.

Again, this will show the reference in markdown, which you can easily convert to HTML.

To cite a work not currently in your Zotero database, you have two options. First, you can import it from the EA Wiki public Zotero library (a database of all works currently cited somewhere on the Wiki). Second, you can use add it with Zotero Connector.Connector. We recommend setting up a keyboard shortcut. In Chrome, go to 'Settings > Extensions > Keyboard Shortcuts', then scroll down to Zotero Connector. In Firefox, go to 'Settings > Extensions & Themes', click on the wheel, then 'Manage Extension Shortcuts' and scroll down to Zotero Connector.

If you don't want to install Zotero, you can still access our Zotero library and search for the work you want to reference.  If you find it,

1. Click on it to select it.
2. Click on the 'bookshelf' icon on top ('Create Bibliography').
3. Select 'other styles available'
4. Choose the 'Effective Altruism Wiki' citation style.

Again, this will show the reference in markdown, which you can easily convert to HTML.

• Organize the articles into sections. Start with a concise summary of the subject in the lead section, followed by as many sections and subsections as the article requires, and ending with a bibliography section.requires. Optionally, you may also include,include after that section, anthose the sections externalFurther reading, External links section and a relatedRelated entries section..
• When appropriate, provide references. Attach an inline citationa footnote to the clause or sentence you want to reference, as well as a full citation in the bibliography section. Inline citations should include the last name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication, and can also include page or section numbers. Inline citations should not include any other information.reference. Do not worry about the proper formatting of references in the bibliography;references; we delegate this task to an assistant who is already familiar with our conventions.
• Use internal links only (i.e. links to other EA Wiki articles, or "wikilinks"), except in footnotes and the bibliography and externalExternal links sections.section.
• Write in an encyclopedic tone. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, legalese or unnecessary jargon. Avoid stating as facts claims that would be disputed by someone endorsing reasonable epistemic standards. Avoid making value judgments.

1. Download the EA Wiki CSL file.
2. Download and install the Zotero desktop app, the Zutilo plugin, and (optionally) the Zotero Connector browser extension.
3. Open Zotero and go to 'Preferences'.
4. Under the 'Cite' tab, click on 'Get additional styles'.
5. Search for the plus sign'Effective Altruism Wiki' style and select the file you downloaded in step (1).click on it. This will add it to your style manager.
6. Under the 'Export' tab, select 'EA Wiki (markdown)''Effective Altruism Wiki' in the 'Item Format' dropdown menu.
7. Go to 'Tools > Zutilo Preferences'.'
8. Scroll down until you see 'QuickCopy items' line, then select a convenient shortcut key and click 'Apply'.

If you don't want to install Zotero, you can still access to our Zotero library and search for the work you want to reference.  If you find it, you will get the correct format doing the following:

1. Click on it to select it.
2. Click on the books icon on top ('Create Bibliography').
3. Choose the 'Effective Altruism Wiki' citation style.

Again, this will show the reference in markdown, which you can easily convert to HTML.

• Organize the articles into sections. Start with a concise summary of the subject in the lead section, followed by as many sections and subsections as the article requires.requires, and ending with a bibliography section. Optionally, you may also includeinclude, after those the sectionsthat section, an Further reading , Externalexternal links section and a Relatedrelated entries. section.
• When appropriate, provide references. Attach a footnotean inline citation to the clause or sentence you want to reference.reference, as well as a full citation in the bibliography section. Inline citations should include the last name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication, and can also include page or section numbers. Inline citations should not include any other information. Do not worry about the proper formatting of references;references in the bibliography; we delegate this task to an assistant who is already familiar with our conventions.
• Use internal links only (i.e. links to other EA Wiki articles, or "wikilinks"), except in footnotesthe bibliography and the Externalexternal links section.sections.
• Write in an encyclopedic tone. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, legalese or unnecessary jargon. Avoid stating as facts claims that would be disputed by someone endorsing reasonable epistemic standards. Avoid making value judgments.

1. Download the EA Wiki CSL file.
2. Download and install the Zotero desktop app, the Zutilo plugin, and (optionally) the Zotero Connector browser extension.
3. Open Zotero and go to 'Preferences'.
4. Under the 'Cite' tab, click on 'Get additional styles'.
5. Search for 'Effective Altruism Wiki' stylethe plus sign and click on it. This will add it to your style manager.select the file you downloaded in step (1).
6. Under the 'Export' tab, select 'Effective Altruism Wiki''EA Wiki (markdown)' in the 'Item Format' dropdown menu.
7. Go to 'Tools > Zutilo Preferences'.'
8. Scroll down until you see 'QuickCopy items' line, then select a convenient shortcut key and click 'Apply'.

If you don't want to install Zotero, you can still access to our Zotero library and search for the work you want to reference.  If you find it, you will get the correct format doing the following:

1. Click on it to select it.
2. Click on the books icon on top ('Create Bibliography').
3. Choose the 'Effective Altruism Wiki' citation style.

Again, this will show the reference in markdown, which you can easily convert to HTML.    

1. Download the EA Wiki CSL file.
2. Download and install the Zotero desktop app, the Zutilo plugin, and (optionally) the Zotero Connector browser extension.
3. Open Zotero and go to 'Preferences'.
4. Under the 'Cite' tab, click on the plus sign'Get additional styles'.
5. Search for 'Effective Altruism Wiki' style and select the file you downloaded in step (1).click on it. This will add it to your style manager.
6. Under the 'Export' tab, select 'EA Wiki (markdown)''Effective Altruism Wiki' in the 'Item Format' dropdown menu.
7. Go to 'Tools > Zutilo Preferences'.
8. Scroll down until you see 'QuickCopy items' line, then select a convenient shortcut key and click 'Apply'.

1.  Click on it to select it.
2. Click on the books icon on top ('Create Bibliography').
3. Choose the 'Effective Altruism Wiki' citation style.

• Organize the articles into sections. Start with a concise summary of the subject in the lead section, followed by as many sections and subsections as the article requires, and ending with a bibliography section.requires. Optionally, you may also include,include after that section, anthose the sections externalFurther reading , External links section and a relatedRelated entries section..
• When appropriate, provide references. Attach an inline citationa footnote to the clause or sentence you want to reference, as well as a full citation in the bibliography section. Inline citations should include the last name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication, and can also include page or section numbers. Inline citations should not include any other information.reference. Do not worry about the proper formatting of references in the bibliography;references; we delegate this task to an assistant who is already familiar with our conventions.
• Use internal links only (i.e. links to other EA Wiki articles, or "wikilinks"), except in footnotes and the bibliography and externalExternal links sections.section.
• Write in an encyclopedic tone. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, legalese or unnecessary jargon. Avoid stating as facts claims that would be disputed by someone endorsing reasonable epistemic standards. Avoid making value judgments.

1. Download the EA Wiki CSL file.
2. Download and install the Zotero desktop app, the Zutilo plugin, and (optionally) the Zotero Connector browser extension.
3. Open Zotero and go to 'Preferences'.
4. Under the 'Cite' tab, click on the plus sign and select the file you downloaded in step (1).
5. Under the 'Export' tab, select 'EA Wiki (markdown)' in the 'Item Format' dropdown menu.
6. Go to 'Tools > Zutilo Preferences'.'
7. Scroll down until you see 'QuickCopy items' line, then select a convenient shortcut key and click 'Apply'.

If you don't want to install Zotero, you can still access to our Zotero library and search for the work you want to reference.  If you find it, you will get the correct format doing the following:

1.  Click on it to select it.
2. Click on the books icon on top ('Create Bibliography').
3. Choose the 'Effective Altruism Wiki' citation style.

Again, this will show the reference in markdown, which you can easily convert to HTML.    

1. Download the EA Wiki CSL file.
2. Download and install the Zotero desktop app, the Zutilo plugin, and (optionally) the Zotero Connector browser extension, and the Zutilo plugin.extension.
3. Open Zotero and go to 'Preferences'.
4. Under the 'Cite' tab, click on the plus sign and select the file you downloaded in step (1).
5. Under the 'Export' tab, select 'EA Wiki (markdown)' in the 'Item Format' dropdown menu.
6. Go to 'Tools > Zutilo Preferences'.'
7. Scroll down until you see 'QuickCopy items' line, then select a convenient shortcut key and click 'Apply'.

To cite a work not currently in your Zotero database, you have two options. First, you can addimport it easily usingfrom theEA Wiki public Zotero library (a database of all works currently cited somewhere on the Wiki). Second, you can use Zotero Connector. We recommend setting up a keyboard shortcut. In Chrome, go to 'Settings > Extensions > Keyboard Shortcuts', then scroll down to Zotero Connector. In Firefox, go to 'Settings > Extensions & Themes', click on the wheel, then 'Manage Extension Shortcuts' and scroll down to Zotero Connector.

You are now ready to insert properly formatted references. With the cursor on the work you want to cite, just press the shortcut key you selected. This will copy the citation to the clipboard in the correct format, which you can paste into the EA Forum editor. Please note that the editor needs to be configured to use markdown. If you don't want to use markdown, you can instead convert the markdown asto HTML, and then copy and paste the rendered HTML into the editor. To do this, you can use an online markdown to HTML converter, or your favorite text editor.

Our citation style now has an associated Citation Style Language file. You shouldn't waste time formatting references. Instead, either simply provide minimal bibliographic details for the work you want to cite  (e.g. "Ord, Precipice") so that we can then give it the appropriate format, or use this file in combination with a reference management app to streamline the process of adding new references. In what follows, we explain how to do this with Zotero, Zotero—a popular reference management software.software—in combination with our  Citation Style Language (CSL) file, as explained in what follows.

1. Download the EA Wiki CSL file.
2. Download and install the Zotero desktop app, the Zotero Connector browser extension, and the Zutilo plugin.
3. Open Zotero and go to 'Preferences'.
4. Under the 'Cite' tab, click on the plus sign and select the file you downloaded in step (1).
5. Under the 'Export' tab, select 'EA Wiki (markdown)' in the 'Item Format' dropdown menu.
6. Go to 'Tools > Zutilo Preferences'.'
7. Scroll down until you see 'QuickCopy items' line, then select a convenient shortcut key and click 'Apply'.

You are now ready to insert citations.properly formatted references. With the cursor on the work you want to cite, just press the shortcut key you selected. This will copy the citation to the clipboard in the correct format, which you can paste into the EA Forum editor. Please note that the editor needs to be configured to use markdown. If you don't want to do this,use markdown, you can instead convert the markdown as HTML, and then copy and paste the rendered HTML into the editor. To do this, you can use an online markdown to HTML converter, or your favorite text editor.

I would like to add references, but it is tedious to do this by hand. I'm also confused by your citation format. Is there a way to make this whole thing less annoying?

Our citation style now has an associated Citation Style Language file. You can use this file in combination with a reference management app to streamline the process of adding new references. In what follows, we explain how to do this with Zotero, a popular reference management software.

1. Download the EA Wiki CSL file.
2. Download and install the Zotero desktop app, the Zotero Connector browser extension, and the Zutilo plugin.
3. Open Zotero and go to 'Preferences'
4. Under the 'Cite' tab, click on the plus sign and select the file you downloaded in step (1).
5. Under the 'Export' tab, select 'EA Wiki (markdown)' in the 'Item Format' dropdown menu.
6. Go to 'Tools > Zutilo Preferences'.'
7. Scroll down until you see 'QuickCopy items' line, then select a convenient shortcut key and click 'Apply'.

You are now ready to insert citations. With the cursor on the work you want to cite, just press the shortcut key you selected. This will copy the citation to the clipboard in the correct format, which you can paste into the EA Forum editor. Please note that the editor needs to be configured to use markdown. If you don't want to do this, you can instead convert the markdown as HTML, and then copy and paste the rendered HTML into the editor. To do this, you can use an online markdown to HTML converter, or your favorite text editor.

To cite a work not currently in your Zotero database, you can add it easily using the Zotero Connector. We recommend setting up a keyboard shortcut. In Chrome, go to 'Settings > Extensions > Keyboard Shortcuts', then scroll down to Zotero Connector. In Firefox, go to 'Settings > Extensions & Themes', click on the wheel, then 'Manage Extension Shortcuts' and scroll down to Zotero Connector.

The Effective Altruism Wiki (henceforth,(henceforth, the Wiki) is an attemptattempts to build an online encyclopedia of effective altruism.

The Wiki can be edited by anyoneAnyone with an EA Forum account. New articles are reviewed by aaccount can edit the Wiki. A team of admins.admins reviews new articles.

Tags are labels that can be attached to posts, and that help us organize the Forum content. Adopting a clever innovation introduced by LessWrong, we allow Wiki articles to also serve as tags, and vice versa. Thus, clicking on a tag not onlyboth generates a list of all posts sharing that tag, but alsotag and displays the contents of the corresponding Wiki article. Extending the tag system in this way allows us to better integrate the Wiki with the Forum.Forum better.

This helps those new to effective altruism familiarize themselves with its core ideas, and allows experienced EAseffective altruists to find additional publications on a topic of interest. It also contributes to making EAeffective altruism concepts more notable and recognizable; makes this content more easily discoverable on search engines; and facilitates its inclusion in other reference works, such as Wikipedia or the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

The easiest way for you to become involved is by lookingto look at the list of entries in need of work. These entries are flagged with a numbervariety of 'TODO' flags, which tell you what sort of action is required. You can also flag entries yourself, if you notice that the entry is in need ofrequires a particular type of improvement.

• Organize the articles into sections. Start with a concise summary of the subject in the lead section, followed by as many sections and subsections as the article requires, and ending with a bibliography section.  Optionally, you may also include, after that section, an external links section and a related entries section.
• When appropriate, provide references. Attach an inline citation to the clause or sentence you want to reference, as well as a full citation in the bibliography section. Inline citations should include the last name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication, and can also include page or section numbers. Inline citations should not include any other information. Do not worry about the proper formatting of references in the bibliography; we delegate this task to an assistant who is already familiar with our conventions.
• Use internal links only (i.e. links to other EA Wiki articles, or "wikilinks"), except in the bibliography and external links sections.
• Write in an encyclopedic tone. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, legalese or unnecessary jargon. Avoid stating as facts claims that would be disputed by someone endorsing reasonable epistemic standards. Avoid making value judgments.

First, check that the topic is not already covered by an entry with a different name. Once you have confirmed that the Wiki is missing an article for this topic, you can propose it here and receive feedback on it.feedback. We recommend this option for most new entries, since it gives experienced users the chance to make useful suggestions. Alternatively, you can also create the entry without asking for feedback. This approach may be appropriate if you think the entry is clearly worth adding (e.g. an entry for GiveWell’GiveWell's newest top charity). However, the entry may be removed if the admins decide that it fails to meet our criteria for inclusion.

Currently, theThe Wiki has explicit inclusion criteria onlytakes a broadly "inclusionist" approach and welcomes articles on any topic, as long as they are appropriate for some types of entries.

Entries about individuals. To havean encyclopedia focused on effective altruism. As a dedicated Wiki entry, a person has to satisfy one of the following two conditions:

1. The person is core figure in EA, who has made seminal intellectual contributions to effective altruism or who has played a key role in the creation of one of the organizations from which EA emerged (we consider those organizations to be 80,000 Hours, the Centre for Effective Altruism, GiveWell, Giving What We Can, LessWrong and Open Philanthropy).
2. The person isrough heuristic, an independently notable figure who is also connected to EA in a significant way. The person may be so connected by virtue of being part of the EA community or sharing its ideas; by having made significant contributions to EA; or by being the object of significant attention by the EA community. (Examples of such a connection include having published academic research of clear EA relevance; being involved in an EA-aligned project, such as a company or a nonprofit; being a historical figure of clear EA interest; and being widely perceived by the EA community to have had an extraordinary positive social impact.)

Entries about organizations. Dedicated entries may be created for any organizationentry that is clearly part of the effective altruism community. Tentatively, this criterion also encompasses EA groups, though it may be subject to revision in the future.

In addition, a new entry must be a suitable tag for at least three posts, or else beexisting posts is probably worthy of high enough quality and relevance to merit inclusion even if it applies to few or no posts.inclusion. 

In the future, weWe may try to codify the inclusion criteria for other types of articles.more precisely in the future. We may also revise these criteria in response to external feedback or as we gain more experience.

At the moment, anyone can add new articles, though only admins can delete them. Wiki policies were drafted by the admin team and are periodically revised in response to feedback from contributors. Currently, the admins have the final say on all decisions related to the Wiki, though in the futureWiki. However, we hope to explore other resolution mechanisms for Wiki disputes,disputes and other governance structures for the Wiki.Wiki in the future.

In addition, a new entry must be a suitable tag for at least three posts, or else be of high enough quality and relevance to merit inclusion even if it applies to few or no posts.

In the future, we may try to codify the inclusion criteria for other types of articles. We may also revise these criteria in response to external feedback or as we gain more experience.

See the Recent Tag & Wiki activity section of the Wiki dashboard. It shows anyall Wiki edits and comments, sorted in reverse chronological order, and omits any other activity from the Forum.Forum activity.

Currently, the Wiki has explicit inclusion criteria only for entries concerning individual people.some types of entries.

Entries about individuals. To have a dedicated Wiki entry, a person has to satisfy one of the following two conditions:

Entries about organizations. Dedicated entries may be created for any organization that is clearly part of the effective altruism community. Tentatively, this criterion also encompasses EA groups, though it may be subject to revision in the future.

In the future, we may try to codify the inclusion criteria for other types of articles. We may also revise these criteria in light ofresponse to external feedback or as we gain more experience.

1. The person is core figure in EA, who has made seminal intellectual contributions to effective altruism or who has played a key role in the creation of one of the organizations from which EA emerged (we consider those organizations to be 80,000 Hours, the Centre for Effective Altruism, GiveWell, Giving What We Can, LessWrong and Open Philanthropy).
2. The person is an independently notable figure who is also connected to EA in a significant way. The person may be so connected by virtue of being part of the EA community or sharing its ideas; by having made significant contributions to EA; or by being the object of significant attention by the EA community. (Examples of such a connection include having published academic research of clear EA relevance; being involved in an EA-aligned project, such as a company or a nonprofit; being a historical figure of clear EEA interest; and being widely perceived by the EA community to have had an extraordinary positive social impact.)

In the future, we may try to codify the inclusion criteria for other types of articles. We may also revise these criteria in light of feedback or experience.

First, check that the topic is not covered by an entry with a different name. Once you have confirmed that the Wiki is missing an article for this topic, you can propose it here and receive feedback on it. We recommend this option for most new entries, since it gives experienced users the chance to make useful suggestions. Alternatively, you can also create the entry without asking for feedback. This may be appropriate if you think the entry obviouslyis clearly worth adding (e.g. a tagan entry for GiveWell’s newest top charity). However, the entry may be removed if the admins decide that it fails to meet our criteria for inclusion.

Here is a list of entries organized thematically, followed by a list in alphabetical order list. The former is not fully exhaustive; we are currently in the process of updating it.order.

The Wiki is missing an entry on a topic I would like to see covered. Can I create it?

First, check that the topic is not covered by an entry with a different name. Once you have confirmed that the Wiki is missing an article for this topic, you can propose it here and receive feedback on it. We recommend this option for most new entries, since it gives experienced users the chance to make useful suggestions. Alternatively, you can also create the entry without asking for feedback. This may be appropriate if you think the entry obviously worth adding (e.g. a tag for GiveWell’s newest top charity). However, the entry may be removed if the admins decide that it fails to meet our criteria for inclusion.

What are the criteria for inclusion?

Currently, the Wiki has explicit inclusion criteria only for entries concerning individual people. To have a dedicated Wiki entry, a person has to satisfy one of the following two conditions:

1. The person is core figure in EA, who has made seminal intellectual contributions to effective altruism or who has played a key role in the creation of one of the organizations from which EA emerged (we consider those organizations to be 80,000 Hours, the Centre for Effective Altruism, GiveWell, Giving What We Can, LessWrong and Open Philanthropy).
2. The person is an independently notable figure who is also connected to EA in a significant way. The person may be so connected by virtue of being part of the EA community or sharing its ideas; by having made significant contributions to EA; or by being the object of significant attention by the EA community. (Examples of such a connection include having published academic research of clear EA relevance; being involved in an EA-aligned project, such as a company or a nonprofit; being a historical figure of clear E interest; and being widely perceived by the EA community to have had an extraordinary positive social impact.)

In the future, we may try to codify the inclusion criteria for other types of articles.

What is the EA Wiki?

The Effective Altruism Wiki (henceforth, the Wiki) is an attempt to build an online encyclopedia of effective altruism.

Who can contribute to the Wiki?

The Wiki can be edited by anyone with an EA Forum account. New articles are reviewed by a team of admins.

How does the Wiki relate to the tagging system?

Tags are labels that can be attached to posts, and that help us organize the Forum content. Adopting a clever innovation introduced by LessWrong, we allow Wiki articles to also serve as tags, and vice versa. Thus, clicking on a tag not only generates a list of all posts sharing that tag, but also displays the contents of the corresponding Wiki article. Extending the tag system in this way allows us to better integrate the Wiki with the Forum.

Why is the Wiki valuable?

EA content currently exists scattered in countless blog posts, forum articles, scholarly papers and even social media threads. We believe that there is considerable value in presenting all this content in summary form and organized systematically in a single location.

This helps those new to effective altruism familiarize themselves with its core ideas, and allows experienced EAs to find additional publications on a topic of interest. It also contributes to making EA concepts more notable and recognizable; makes this content more easily discoverable on search engines; and facilitates its inclusion in other reference works, such as Wikipedia or the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

How can I contribute to the EA Wiki?

If you think you may be a good fit for it, you should consider contributing to the EA Wiki. 

The easiest way for you to become involved is by looking at the list of entries in need of work. These entries are flagged with a number of 'TODO' flags, which tell you what sort of action is required. You can also flag entries yourself, if you notice that the entry is in need of a particular type of improvement.

I have no experience with wikis. Can you help me get started?

Don't worry—it's pretty simple. Here's some basic guidance:

• Organize the articles into sections. Start with a concise summary of the subject in the lead section, followed by as many sections and subsections as the article requires, and ending with a bibliography section.  Optionally, you may also include, after that section, an external links section and a related entries section.
• When appropriate, provide references. Attach an inline citation to the clause or sentence you want to reference, as well as a full citation in the bibliography section. Inline citations should include the last name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication, and can also include page or section numbers. Inline citations should not include any other information. Do not worry about the proper formatting of references in the bibliography; we delegate this task to an assistant who is already familiar with our conventions.
• Use internal links only (i.e. links to other EA Wiki articles, or "wikilinks"), except in the bibliography and external links sections.
• Write in an encyclopedic tone. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, legalese or unnecessary jargon. Avoid stating as facts claims that would be disputed by someone endorsing reasonable epistemic standards. Avoid making value judgments.

You can see examples of articles that conform to these standards here and here, and learn more by consulting our Style Guide.

Where can I find a list of all Wiki articles?

Here is a list of entries organized thematically, followed by a list in alphabetical order list. The former is not fully exhaustive; we are currently in the process of updating it.

How can I see the most recent Wiki-related activity?

See the Recent Tag & Wiki activity section of the Wiki dashboard. It shows any Wiki edits and comments, sorted in reverse chronological order, and omits any other activity from the Forum.

Who makes Wiki-related decisions?

At the moment, anyone can add new articles, though only admins can delete them. Wiki policies were drafted by the admin team and are periodically revised in response to feedback from contributors. Currently, the admins have the final say on all decisions related to the Wiki, though in the future we hope to explore other resolution mechanisms for Wiki disputes, and other governance structures for the Wiki.