Looking back on it, which activity has had more benefit over its lifespan, the development of antibiotics in the 1930′s, or the development and enactment of the US welfare state in the 1930s? Which one cost more money?
I don’t understand how this is relevant. The money I donate (1) does not go to the US welfare state. Do you think that $1K spent on cryonics saves an expected life? If not, I don’t think it beats village reach as a charity.
(1) I take donation and charity seriously. I believe I should earn as much money as I can so that I can give away as much as I can. In 2010 my wife and I gave away $45K, spending $22K on us.
OK, I update my “surprise” based on this info that you donate so much to charity. Good stuff.
I was using that as an example of how 1) donations to well-meaning and efficacious current charities can have unintended negative consequences in the long run (i.e., make people dependent), and 2) investments in scientific research (including the societal infrastructure to support it) tend to pay off great dividends in the long run.
I’ve never heard anybody claim welfare was “efficacious.” Comparing public health charities to welfare rather than antibiotics seems pretty goofy to me.
I don’t understand how this is relevant. The money I donate (1) does not go to the US welfare state. Do you think that $1K spent on cryonics saves an expected life? If not, I don’t think it beats village reach as a charity.
(1) I take donation and charity seriously. I believe I should earn as much money as I can so that I can give away as much as I can. In 2010 my wife and I gave away $45K, spending $22K on us.
OK, I update my “surprise” based on this info that you donate so much to charity. Good stuff.
I was using that as an example of how 1) donations to well-meaning and efficacious current charities can have unintended negative consequences in the long run (i.e., make people dependent), and 2) investments in scientific research (including the societal infrastructure to support it) tend to pay off great dividends in the long run.
I’ve never heard anybody claim welfare was “efficacious.” Comparing public health charities to welfare rather than antibiotics seems pretty goofy to me.