Exercise Reflection: What Does It Mean to Be a Good Ancestor?
Thinking about what it means to be a good ancestor is important. When we think about the future, we should consider how our actions today affect the lives of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A good ancestor is someone who cares about the long-term impact of their choices. They think about how today’s decisions can shape the world for future generations.
A good ancestor is responsible, meaning they take care of the environment and society. They make choices that help the planet and ensure that future generations have what they need to live well. They also show empathy, which means they understand and care about the struggles of people in the future. Being forward-thinking, they embrace new ideas and technologies that can solve big problems, even if those solutions come with some risks. They need to be courageous too, standing up for what is right, even when others disagree.
In terms of actions, a good ancestor invests in solutions that will help the future, like supporting projects that fight climate change and improve public health. They promote education by learning about the challenges future generations might face and sharing that knowledge with others. They also advocate for strong rules and agreements that protect future generations, pushing for policies that focus on sustainability and ethics.
A good ancestor believes in fairness for everyone, making sure that future generations have equal rights and opportunities. They want to leave a positive legacy, which means they take steps to create a better world for those who come after them. By being responsible, caring, and active in creating change, we can all be good ancestors and help build a brighter future for the generations to come.
I write to you with respect and kindness. I know that in your time, many people believe that women must be kept in a limited role in society. However, I want to share with you that today we understand that women are equal to men. Women have strong minds, great talents, and deep feelings. They work hard, care for their families, and help build communities. When we do not allow women to have the same chances as men, we lose the benefit of all their abilities. This is why I ask you to consider that treating women fairly is not a new idea but a truth that makes our society stronger.
I also ask you to think about the harm that comes from oppressing women. When women are not allowed to study, work, or speak freely, it hurts not only them but also everyone around them. The stories of many women show that they can make great improvements if given a chance. There is much evidence that societies where women are respected and supported become more creative, peaceful, and prosperous. Ignoring the talents and rights of half of the population makes our society weaker and limits our progress.
I understand that your views come from the traditions and ideas of your time. But I hope you can see that these ideas may be incomplete. I ask you to open your heart and mind to the possibility that women deserve the same respect and opportunities as men. By accepting this, you will help create a kinder and stronger community for all people. I believe that fairness and respect are the true foundations of a good life, and I hope you can join me in this belief.
For this exercise, I assumed that my lifetime income is about $1,000,000. Ten percent of my lifetime income is then $100,000. I used GiveWell’s cost-effectiveness data for three top charities to estimate what could be achieved with such a donation. For example, for the Against Malaria Foundation, GiveWell’s models suggest that with $100,000, the charity might prevent around 200,000 cases of malaria and save roughly 30 lives. In the case of the Malaria Consortium, a donation of $100,000 may prevent approximately 150,000 cases of malaria and save about 25 lives. For the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, I estimated that the same donation could treat around 100,000 cases of schistosomiasis and avert about 15 deaths.
Part B
If I were given $1,000 to donate to only one charity, I would choose the Against Malaria Foundation. I choose this charity because its intervention to prevent malaria is very cost-effective and has strong evidence for saving lives. The Against Malaria Foundation has a simple and proven method to reduce the spread of malaria, which means that even a small donation like $1,000 can have a significant impact in preventing cases and saving lives.
Part C
There are many other decisions in my life where I could use quantitative estimates to compare outcomes. For example, estimating the expected benefits from different job options and how much impact I can have in each role? how much time or money to spend on my education or personal health? How to spend my free time so that I learn the most. By making these estimates, I can compare the outcomes and try to choose the option that brings the most benefit.
Exercise Reflection: What Does It Mean to Be a Good Ancestor?
Thinking about what it means to be a good ancestor is important. When we think about the future, we should consider how our actions today affect the lives of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A good ancestor is someone who cares about the long-term impact of their choices. They think about how today’s decisions can shape the world for future generations.
A good ancestor is responsible, meaning they take care of the environment and society. They make choices that help the planet and ensure that future generations have what they need to live well. They also show empathy, which means they understand and care about the struggles of people in the future. Being forward-thinking, they embrace new ideas and technologies that can solve big problems, even if those solutions come with some risks. They need to be courageous too, standing up for what is right, even when others disagree.
In terms of actions, a good ancestor invests in solutions that will help the future, like supporting projects that fight climate change and improve public health. They promote education by learning about the challenges future generations might face and sharing that knowledge with others. They also advocate for strong rules and agreements that protect future generations, pushing for policies that focus on sustainability and ethics.
A good ancestor believes in fairness for everyone, making sure that future generations have equal rights and opportunities. They want to leave a positive legacy, which means they take steps to create a better world for those who come after them. By being responsible, caring, and active in creating change, we can all be good ancestors and help build a brighter future for the generations to come.
Dear friend,
I write to you with respect and kindness. I know that in your time, many people believe that women must be kept in a limited role in society. However, I want to share with you that today we understand that women are equal to men. Women have strong minds, great talents, and deep feelings. They work hard, care for their families, and help build communities. When we do not allow women to have the same chances as men, we lose the benefit of all their abilities. This is why I ask you to consider that treating women fairly is not a new idea but a truth that makes our society stronger.
I also ask you to think about the harm that comes from oppressing women. When women are not allowed to study, work, or speak freely, it hurts not only them but also everyone around them. The stories of many women show that they can make great improvements if given a chance. There is much evidence that societies where women are respected and supported become more creative, peaceful, and prosperous. Ignoring the talents and rights of half of the population makes our society weaker and limits our progress.
I understand that your views come from the traditions and ideas of your time. But I hope you can see that these ideas may be incomplete. I ask you to open your heart and mind to the possibility that women deserve the same respect and opportunities as men. By accepting this, you will help create a kinder and stronger community for all people. I believe that fairness and respect are the true foundations of a good life, and I hope you can join me in this belief.
Part A
For this exercise, I assumed that my lifetime income is about $1,000,000. Ten percent of my lifetime income is then $100,000. I used GiveWell’s cost-effectiveness data for three top charities to estimate what could be achieved with such a donation. For example, for the Against Malaria Foundation, GiveWell’s models suggest that with $100,000, the charity might prevent around 200,000 cases of malaria and save roughly 30 lives. In the case of the Malaria Consortium, a donation of $100,000 may prevent approximately 150,000 cases of malaria and save about 25 lives. For the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, I estimated that the same donation could treat around 100,000 cases of schistosomiasis and avert about 15 deaths.
Part B
If I were given $1,000 to donate to only one charity, I would choose the Against Malaria Foundation. I choose this charity because its intervention to prevent malaria is very cost-effective and has strong evidence for saving lives. The Against Malaria Foundation has a simple and proven method to reduce the spread of malaria, which means that even a small donation like $1,000 can have a significant impact in preventing cases and saving lives.
Part C
There are many other decisions in my life where I could use quantitative estimates to compare outcomes. For example, estimating the expected benefits from different job options and how much impact I can have in each role? how much time or money to spend on my education or personal health? How to spend my free time so that I learn the most. By making these estimates, I can compare the outcomes and try to choose the option that brings the most benefit.