Alicorn comments on The Craigslist Revolution: a real-world application of torture vs. dust specks OR How I learned to stop worrying and create one billion dollars out of nothing - Less Wrong

47 Post author: Kevin 10 February 2010 03:15AM

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Comment author: Alicorn 10 February 2010 01:28:38PM 3 points [-]

Some causes that might have the necessary general appeal and be improved by throwing vast amounts of money at them:

Actually eradicating some infectious disease, completely, like smallpox. (Is a billion dollars enough to take care of malaria? Boy would that make a difference.)
Clean water - this one isn't as obviously important to people who never have to think about where their water comes from, but if you can snag attention long enough, there are some good ads for it.
Education for soulful photogenic children. This one is a long-term investment but could lead to immense improvements in the affected areas.

Comment author: ciphergoth 10 February 2010 01:58:23PM * 3 points [-]

(Is a billion dollars enough to take care of malaria? Boy would that make a difference.)

Nowhere near, I'm afraid. Bill Gates has already thrown a lot more than that at it.

Comment author: Jayson_Virissimo 11 February 2010 06:24:21AM 0 points [-]

Yeah, but what about a billion dollars in addition to what Bill Gates has thrown at it?

Comment author: John_Maxwell_IV 14 February 2010 07:37:41PM 1 point [-]

Comment author: CarlShulman 10 February 2010 07:45:56PM 1 point [-]

Data re the education?

Comment author: Alicorn 10 February 2010 08:01:31PM 0 points [-]

Data on its ability to accumulate supporters, or data on it improving the areas in question?

Comment author: CarlShulman 10 February 2010 08:04:21PM * 2 points [-]

Data on scalable education charities with high marginal benefits.

Comment author: Alicorn 10 February 2010 08:07:01PM 0 points [-]

I don't know of specific organizations with very scalable approaches.