While consciousness is hard to measure, and we can only use intuition to gauge an entity's level of consciousness today (perhaps one day we can do so empirically). I think it is an important factor of moral patienthood.

I used to be more utilitarian about this but eventually I started to believe it is quite important to be 'extra' nice to the people closest to us as it brings the benefit of cooperation which has in turn allowed us to be so effective as humans at all.

Are not the warm fuzzies important in increasing social cohesion and a sense of goodness in the world. Potentially inspiring more good behavior?

Wow thanks for doing this research. Glad to see I'm not alone in what I'm feeling but also not at the same time? On the bright side EA has grown rather rapidly considering it was established in 2009.