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Benjamin_Todd comments on What are your questions about making a difference? - Less Wrong Discussion

26 Post author: Benjamin_Todd 12 August 2012 11:14PM

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Comment author: Benjamin_Todd 15 August 2012 08:41:19PM 3 points [-]

(Just making this more visible.)

Don't read this until you've already thought about your questions!

But here's what we're already working on:

  1. Which people can have the most impact in research careers? When does working in research trump funding research?

    1. How should we factor our own happiness into career decisions? What leads to job satisfaction and how realistic is it to take jobs in industries we're not passionate about?

    2. Among the 'effective altruist' and xrisk organisations, which have the greatest need for more funding or skills of various sorts?

  2. What are the best funding and career opportunities within the cause of reducing animal suffering?

  3. Which biases and heuristics particularly affect altruistic career decisions? How can we make good career decisions?

  4. Now vs Later issues - should I invest in training in order to earn more in the future? should I give my money now or give it later?

  5. How many lives does someone typically save by becoming a doctor? How much can you earn as a doctor?

  6. What opportunities are there to increase the effectiveness of large budgets by becoming some kind of grant maker?

  7. What are the best careers tests out there? Which are based on evidence?