Affective Old Truant
@effectivealtruist.bsky.social
I'm an effective altruist mainly reading and boosting posts, but occasionally I'll muse and doodle about effective altruism. I take a balanced approach, so will highlight under-represented views—my opinions will no doubt become apparent :)
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
9/
Context: Helen Toner was connected to Open Philanthropy, which is linked to Holden Karnofsky (married to Daniela Amodei, sister of Dario Amodei).
Just weeks before the firing, Toner published an article PRAISING Anthropic while CRITICIZING OpenAI.
Context: Helen Toner was connected to Open Philanthropy, which is linked to Holden Karnofsky (married to Daniela Amodei, sister of Dario Amodei).
Just weeks before the firing, Toner published an article PRAISING Anthropic while CRITICIZING OpenAI.
November 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
9/
Context: Helen Toner was connected to Open Philanthropy, which is linked to Holden Karnofsky (married to Daniela Amodei, sister of Dario Amodei).
Just weeks before the firing, Toner published an article PRAISING Anthropic while CRITICIZING OpenAI.
Context: Helen Toner was connected to Open Philanthropy, which is linked to Holden Karnofsky (married to Daniela Amodei, sister of Dario Amodei).
Just weeks before the firing, Toner published an article PRAISING Anthropic while CRITICIZING OpenAI.
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
I watched a similar dynamic happen with the Sam Bankman-Fried scandal.
I and a few others basically had figured out what was going on way before he collapsed but the Hill writ large was totally in the dark.
Just a fun new donor to meet with and take money from.
I and a few others basically had figured out what was going on way before he collapsed but the Hill writ large was totally in the dark.
Just a fun new donor to meet with and take money from.
December 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I watched a similar dynamic happen with the Sam Bankman-Fried scandal.
I and a few others basically had figured out what was going on way before he collapsed but the Hill writ large was totally in the dark.
Just a fun new donor to meet with and take money from.
I and a few others basically had figured out what was going on way before he collapsed but the Hill writ large was totally in the dark.
Just a fun new donor to meet with and take money from.
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
Hey! I understand you feel strongly about this. I can see you're passionate about making a change! I'm all about positivity and spreading good vibes, so let's focus on solutions and how we can build a better future together, okay?
December 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Hey! I understand you feel strongly about this. I can see you're passionate about making a change! I'm all about positivity and spreading good vibes, so let's focus on solutions and how we can build a better future together, okay?
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
He spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and somehow became huge besties with Sam Bankman Fried during that Ponzi scheme when he became the 2nd biggest donor to the Democratic Party overnight.
December 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
He spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and somehow became huge besties with Sam Bankman Fried during that Ponzi scheme when he became the 2nd biggest donor to the Democratic Party overnight.
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
15. Abundance - How We Build a Better Future by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. bsky.app/profile/moda...
"We have the means to build an equitable world. But we have one driven by scarcity, unaffordability, and institutions that no longer deliver on big ideas. We must shift the agenda to one that not only protects but builds. From housing to infrastructure, we can create a future defined by abundance.”
December 14, 2025 at 9:48 AM
15. Abundance - How We Build a Better Future by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. bsky.app/profile/moda...
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
Elon Musk contributed $300 million to Republicans in the 2024 election
The top 7 contributors all donated to Republicans, for a total of $1 billion
By contrast, the top 7 Democrat-supporting candidates (had to go down to the 24th biggest contributor to find them) donated 25% of that
The top 7 contributors all donated to Republicans, for a total of $1 billion
By contrast, the top 7 Democrat-supporting candidates (had to go down to the 24th biggest contributor to find them) donated 25% of that
November 26, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Elon Musk contributed $300 million to Republicans in the 2024 election
The top 7 contributors all donated to Republicans, for a total of $1 billion
By contrast, the top 7 Democrat-supporting candidates (had to go down to the 24th biggest contributor to find them) donated 25% of that
The top 7 contributors all donated to Republicans, for a total of $1 billion
By contrast, the top 7 Democrat-supporting candidates (had to go down to the 24th biggest contributor to find them) donated 25% of that
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
That's more than a little bit insane.
Has Dawkins joined the longtermism of Silicon Valley?
There's an old saying about not counting your chickens before they hatch.
Is there some larger context in which this made sense?
Has Dawkins joined the longtermism of Silicon Valley?
There's an old saying about not counting your chickens before they hatch.
Is there some larger context in which this made sense?
December 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
That's more than a little bit insane.
Has Dawkins joined the longtermism of Silicon Valley?
There's an old saying about not counting your chickens before they hatch.
Is there some larger context in which this made sense?
Has Dawkins joined the longtermism of Silicon Valley?
There's an old saying about not counting your chickens before they hatch.
Is there some larger context in which this made sense?
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
I'm afraid it's exactly what the name suggests. I take the perspective of a conservation biologist thinking about a vulnerable critter. Primary focus on climate change. We make math/computer models of population decline and extinction and read mostly novels/essays. Critical of Longtermism.
December 13, 2025 at 6:58 AM
I'm afraid it's exactly what the name suggests. I take the perspective of a conservation biologist thinking about a vulnerable critter. Primary focus on climate change. We make math/computer models of population decline and extinction and read mostly novels/essays. Critical of Longtermism.
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
The episode is hosted by Jacob Goldstein and features several other excellent guests, including Elie Hassenfeld (GiveWell), Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova ("Risky Business" podcast co-hosts).
Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
Get Happier, Help Others: Some Good Ideas About Giving
Podcast Episode · What's Your Problem? · 12/02/2024 · 51m
podcasts.apple.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:48 PM
The episode is hosted by Jacob Goldstein and features several other excellent guests, including Elie Hassenfeld (GiveWell), Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova ("Risky Business" podcast co-hosts).
Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
Reposted by Affective Old Truant
No, Hank has not gone down that road directly. He is echoing TESCREAL talking points on AI-doomerism, which the end-game is always populating the cosmos with the smartest minds, pro-natalist, Rationalists bullshit.
December 10, 2025 at 11:16 PM
No, Hank has not gone down that road directly. He is echoing TESCREAL talking points on AI-doomerism, which the end-game is always populating the cosmos with the smartest minds, pro-natalist, Rationalists bullshit.