Re-introducing Upgradable (a.k.a., 700,000 Hours): Life optimization as a service for altruists

We say "re-introducing" in the title because we were formerly known as Self Spark and co-founded EA Global under that brand in 2015. And the first iteration of Upgradable launched in 2007.

26 years ago I founded my first proto-existential risk organization--a high school club dedicated to (eventually) building space settlements and making humanity interstellar. I’m pretty sure I'm going to fail at that goal.

Since then, I've been heavily focused on trying to create and augment highly effective altruists. The Upgrade Program (UP) is the result of that effort. The 5Ws of UP:

• Who: Strategic, values-aligned individuals dedicating their lives to doing good.
• What: A step-by-step protocol for optimizing your life as efficiently and effectively as theoretically possible.
• When: UP is a lifelong program. Historically, youth find its lifelong strategic framing most valuable and more senior folks find its goal outsourcing support most valuable.
• Where: Anywhere in the world–we work remotely or in person.
• Why: We need more heroes tackling the world’s many enormous challenges, especially around AI. And those already in the fight need tailored support for them.

One offer and a few asks:

• Our offer: everything we've learned about life optimization for anyone value- and strategy-aligned, for free.
• Our ask: we're fundraising (investment or donations), recruiting for the team, and taking on new clients. Happy to take on a co-CEO, if we can find the right person.

Feedback is very much welcome, but ideally it would be offered in a kind, collaborative, and well-informed manner. We believe unkind and uninformed criticism in this community has very likely reduced its positive impact on the world. My favorite guidelines for this are here.

Note I spend most of my time on UP ventures around existential/AI safety. I have short timelines and a high p(doom). But I believe we can still collectively raise our p(eutopia) if we act now as if our lives depended on it. They do. This could also be humanity’s finest hour.  

Onward and upward.