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Trevor_Blake 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: [deleted] 17 August 2012 04:51:10PM 0 points [-]

I could be mistaken and I hope you will correct me of I am wrong. That sounds like equating a measurable outcome with success. Like a company that invested five hundred dollars, made a penny, and called itself profitable. A profit was made, but... no. One net distributed, one life saved, I will not say that's no good at any cost. But some bottom line of failure, of surrender, should be part of the evaluation. Charities that crow the most about 'raising awareness' or prayer are the worst offenders, confusing activity with achievement. They do more than nothing, but... no.

Comment author: Benjamin_Todd 17 August 2012 07:17:46PM 2 points [-]

Givewell is effectively attempting to work out which charities most increase human welfare for dollar. So, a charity 'fails' if it becomes clearly less effective than the next best.