Effective altruism is about doing good better

Effective altruism is a research field and practical community that aims to find the best ways to help others, and put them into practice.

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The world is changing in important ways; we can contribute to real progress, but we must also reduce the new risks that come with it.

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What is effective altruism?

Everyone wants to do good, but many ways of doing good are ineffective. The EA community is focused on finding ways of doing good that actually work.

This led to many ideas like the following:

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What has the effective altruism community done?

Effective altruism isn't one organization, it's a broad community of people working on a diverse set of projects with a common goal: doing as much good as possible. Below are some things people have done.

Receive a book of key effective altruism ideas

Below are some important books on the most pressing problems and how you can use your time and resources to make a difference. You can get a copy for free via the Impact Books program.

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The Precipice by Toby Ord

An exploration of the risks society faces, their context in the greater story of humanity, and how ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time.

The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef

How to search for the truth instead of defending what you already believe.

80,000 Hours by Benjamin Todd

How to find a fulfilling career that tackles the worlds most pressing problems, based on five years of research alongside academics at Oxford.

The Alignment Problem by Brian Christian

Why it’s so hard to build an AI that doesn’t accidentally destroy civilization, and what people are trying.

Doing Good Better by Will MacAskill

A book about how to really make a difference with your charitable giving and your career, from a co-founder of effective altruism.

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