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James_Miller comments on Stupid Questions August 2015 - Less Wrong Discussion
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Hello. I am a young man about who's quite worried about Ai, like many here, and I'd like to know if I could help in any way.
I can't donate much money, at least not for a few years, and from reading So8res' recent post, money won't be much of an issue in a few years.
However, I am fairly intelligent, and I think I could help a little research wise. Of course, after a few years of rigorous study.
But there are many people at least as intelligent as I, so perhaps my trying to help wouldn't make any difference.
The issue is, I'm in no place to know. If someone out there is working in the field and comes across this, please advise me on what to do. Should I study hard and try and help a little, or would going down this path be fruitless?
You could look at MIRI's research page to judge if its research is something you could contribute to. You could start by commenting on new AI related posts on LW. My guess is that in a few years time MIRI will still say that there is a high marginal benefit to them having more money. Don't let the fact that you can't donate lots of money stop you from donating small sums, even just $5 a year.
Does that mean I should try and seek a high paying job? Or try and add a little more brainpower to the problem? Perhaps both?
Really, my life goal for the past decade and a half was to become a physicist. But this definitely seems like something I'm obligated to support.
But I will definitely try and donate whatever meagre amounts I can produce.
My opinion is that the vast majority of smart people in rich countries can do the most good for the world by "earning to give" and seeking to earn a high salary and giving some of it to carefully chosen charities. If you have the math skills to become a physicist you might be an exception, especially if you can be of direct use to MIRI. My impression is that outside of academia some physicists earn high incomes, so you might want to consider that path.