Good to know about Every, I just signed up for my org.

Hey Nitin! I'm so glad you are investing in this!! Such an important topic and I'm grateful for your work to marry conservation and welfare. There are few people who could do that, so I'm glad you have made strides already. 

You may be interested to know we have a campaign in DC to manage rat populations without the use of poisons DCratsolutions.com 

I read about the interest in creating a new contraceptive via a convening of experts/funders and a prize. That sounds cool to target it toward island species to make it focused on conservation with a humane approach. Do you have a sense of how it can incorporate established R&D on contraceptives so as to not be duplicative? 

Agreed, there are still questions to be addressed about the existing field of contraceptives. I'm glad to see there has been innovation, and I hope the work continues!

Wow, wishing you the best, @Cameron Meyer Shorb 🔸 . 

Fascinating approach to rodenticide contraception, that is a cool way to galvanize a search for the solution. Does this mean you have analyzed the current contraceptives and feel that they fall short? Senestech has a new product called Evolve and Wisdom Goodworks has a product called Goodbites. Is it possible that either of these could already fit the criteria needed to manage rodent populations?

Thought provoking take! I hadnt considered this angle. While there is uncertainty, one obvious conclusion is to manage the welfare of animals killed by fishery industries. Supporting the work of organizations like Fish Welfare Initiative. 

One note: the jargon was challenging to navigate. I almost ducked out at planktonic mysids and pelagic decapods! : P

Ditto, this is a transformative vision. Here is a blog post summary https://www.directactioneverywhere.com/theliberationist/2016-9-6-the-roadmap-to-animal-liberation-part-i-plant-the-flag-1

This is great to see! Thanks for the write-up

Folks like you inspire me for your generosity, broad-minded take on different causes, and commitment to a better world. Thanks for sharing Kyle!

You pose some great questions, Holly. 

I really like the EA culture of "unintended consequences" analysis, as you do with a political campaign on rodent control. That analysis is good to do with all campaigns, and some political campaigns will have greater risks and some will have lesser. It is not inherently a reason not to engage in politics.

Interesting points about undermining democracy. I think it is also worth considering the null-hypothesis: what is the impact of doing nothing? How does it favor existing powers to continue the status quo?

Ultimately, the costs and benefit of political campaigns are extremely difficult to quantify, so I understand why EAs are still developing our attitudes toward this. As a person who works in politics, I agree that there are potential consequences to be wary of (developing a partisan identity, making powerful enemies, etc). Nonetheless, I see these as important precautions and risks to mitigate rather than dealbreakers.