In the absence of very quantifiable outcomes, evaluating whole organizations seems harder than evaluating individuals. I think it’s actually quite easy to get a good idea of how promising someone is within <1hr. I agree with many of Cowen’s takes on Talent.
But I agree that most philanthropists probably shouldn’t take the person-first approach. I do think more people should. Sensible alternatives are legible effective global health charities with quantifiable outcomes / clear plans, and progress-driving entrepreneurship.
This seems like a crux “evaluating whole organizations seems harder than evaluating individuals.” I don’t think it’s even close to correct, for most small-time (say, less than 5 hours/week and $200K/year donated) philanthropists.
I believe exactly the opposite: it’s far easier to identify a reasonable number of candidate organizations than it is individuals, and far easier to pick one that’s acceptably likely to be effective. Picking exceptional individuals aligned with your philanthropic goals is really difficult and error-prone.
In the absence of very quantifiable outcomes, evaluating whole organizations seems harder than evaluating individuals. I think it’s actually quite easy to get a good idea of how promising someone is within <1hr. I agree with many of Cowen’s takes on Talent.
But I agree that most philanthropists probably shouldn’t take the person-first approach. I do think more people should. Sensible alternatives are legible effective global health charities with quantifiable outcomes / clear plans, and progress-driving entrepreneurship.
This seems like a crux “evaluating whole organizations seems harder than evaluating individuals.” I don’t think it’s even close to correct, for most small-time (say, less than 5 hours/week and $200K/year donated) philanthropists.
I believe exactly the opposite: it’s far easier to identify a reasonable number of candidate organizations than it is individuals, and far easier to pick one that’s acceptably likely to be effective. Picking exceptional individuals aligned with your philanthropic goals is really difficult and error-prone.
Yes, this is a crux. To a large extent, the answer to what is easier depends on what one aims to achieve with philanthropy, which varies a lot.