Your mental calculus on that issue is probably different from mine assuming you make more money than I do. I’m 23, just graduated from college, and make subsistence wages via a small business, but I’m somewhat confident that my income is going to rise rapidly—so this year I donated $10, but I hope to make enough money that it really will be like I have dedicated my life to the cause of existential risk. Or at least as much as Peter Thiel has done.
If you’re a programmer, your greatest expected value for earnings is biting the bullet and starting a startup...
I just turned 24. I’m a graduate student and make subsistence wages. I’m moonlighting as an indie game developer. If my studio takes off I’ll be able to donate much more to SIAI. But, even if I knew I’d be a millionaire next year, I’d still forgo some small luxuries (by subsistence standards) to make a donation this year.
We definitely need more programmers with enough chutzpah to found a startup, and who are willing to donate substantially if they make it big.
Both voted up for making small donations this year. I am much more optimistic about someone who says that they plan to do a startup and donate some of the money to SIAI if they have previously donated $10 rather than $0.
For what it’s worth, the best returns right now for game development are on Facebook. It’s something of a secret; developing games for the iPhone is almost a trap compared to developing games for Facebook. That’s what I’m working on right now. Happy to discuss this via PM/email...
Your mental calculus on that issue is probably different from mine assuming you make more money than I do. I’m 23, just graduated from college, and make subsistence wages via a small business, but I’m somewhat confident that my income is going to rise rapidly—so this year I donated $10, but I hope to make enough money that it really will be like I have dedicated my life to the cause of existential risk. Or at least as much as Peter Thiel has done.
If you’re a programmer, your greatest expected value for earnings is biting the bullet and starting a startup...
Similar calculus.
I just turned 24. I’m a graduate student and make subsistence wages. I’m moonlighting as an indie game developer. If my studio takes off I’ll be able to donate much more to SIAI. But, even if I knew I’d be a millionaire next year, I’d still forgo some small luxuries (by subsistence standards) to make a donation this year.
We definitely need more programmers with enough chutzpah to found a startup, and who are willing to donate substantially if they make it big.
Both voted up for making small donations this year. I am much more optimistic about someone who says that they plan to do a startup and donate some of the money to SIAI if they have previously donated $10 rather than $0.
For what it’s worth, the best returns right now for game development are on Facebook. It’s something of a secret; developing games for the iPhone is almost a trap compared to developing games for Facebook. That’s what I’m working on right now. Happy to discuss this via PM/email...