I think that the image of EA on LW has been excessively donation-focused, but I’d like to point out that things like earning to give are only one part of EA.
EA is about having the biggest positive impact that you can have on the world, given your circumstances and personality. If your circumstances mean that you can’t donate, or disagree with donations being the best way to do good, that still leaves options like e.g. working directly for some organization (be it a non-profit or for-profit) having a positive impact on the world. Some time back I wrote the following:
Effective altruism says that, if you focus on the right career, you can have an even bigger impact! And the careers don’t even need to be exotic, demanding ones that only a few select ones can do (even if some of them are). Some of the top potential careers that 80,000 hours has identified so far include thing as diverse as being an academic, civil servant, journalist, marketer, politician, or software engineer, among others. Not only that, they also emphasize finding your fit. To have a big impact on the world, you don’t need to shoehorn yourself into a role that doesn’t suit you and that you hate—in fact you’re explicitly encouraged to find an high-impact career that fits you personally.
Analytic? Maybe consider research, in one form or another. Want to mostly support the cause from the side, not thinking about things too much? Let the existing charity evaluation organizations guide who you donate to and don’t worry about the rest. Or help out other effective altruists. People person? Plenty of ways you could have an impact. There’s always something you can do—and still be effective. It’s not about needing to be superhuman, it’s about doing the best that you can, given your personality, talents and interests.
I think that the image of EA on LW has been excessively donation-focused, but I’d like to point out that things like earning to give are only one part of EA.
EA is about having the biggest positive impact that you can have on the world, given your circumstances and personality. If your circumstances mean that you can’t donate, or disagree with donations being the best way to do good, that still leaves options like e.g. working directly for some organization (be it a non-profit or for-profit) having a positive impact on the world. Some time back I wrote the following: