Tech founder turned impact investor:
BetterBite.vc - Alt protein / climate VC in Asia
GoalsWon.com - accountability coaching app
Help with advice, support on any of the EA projects I'm working on
Any advice on entrepreneurship, seeking investment, building startups. Also free accountability coaching.
Thanks Vasco for writing this post and being open minded to evolve viewpoints - much appreciated.
Do you have thoughts on whether long term it would be preferable for net suffering to have more cropland with higher amount of nematodes per sq/m etc supporting a given population size with current per capita animal consumption levels, vs relatively more consumption of land efficient alternatives to animal products, enabling higher human population and greater amount of urban/suburban land ie - with less nematodes per sq/m.
Thanks for sharing.
Reminds me a bit of the work Innovate Animal Ag are doing, not sure if the consulting part also covers the R&D / engineering or just go to market/commercialization.
It makes sense though, we've seen in other fields mission driven folks being the ones to develop all new technologies / try out their own ideas eg- climate tech, alt protein
I don't think it's so important to have someone who fully aligns with the values. There are many great marketing execs in industry who don't use their companies products, or maybe only partially identify with things personally. My suggestion - hire an executive recruiting firm focused on this sector, and ask them to target some of the most successful brands in the broader charity / social enterprise / commercial+impact space or in ad agencies who did the work. Or consider bringing in hired guns on a contract/project basis (or outsource it to an experienced agency). This is a critical brand turnaround project. Let's not try to DIY
This role seems like more of a digital/marketing generalist and who will "translate our EA brand strategy into concrete marketing plans" - my question is more on who is leading the branding strategy effort if this role isn't. Is it someone with deep experience in branding specifically? The reason I ask is because to turn around a tarnished brand is a very challenging endeavor, and without doing that, it will limit EA's potential (see GMO, nuclear etc)
"Act now, rather than wait until it’s too late" -> well put.
Glad to see the good work of CaML and others highlighted. Positively influencing the models as much as possible right now seems vital.
A random one - is AI for inter-species communication emerging as a thing? Is it viable in the short term, are there promising projects working on it with a view to bringing it to the masses via mobile apps etc?
Thanks for sharing the direction, appreciated.
For the rebrand, do you have experienced marketing folks on board or planned to be?
ie- with real industry experience, beyond EA circles?
It seems like a very tough challenge to undo the damage and change perceptions, and would benefit from a battle-tested team/professional.
If this is a critical time with probability of short timelines increasing, money invested via donations should be of higher value now vs historically.
But potential for AGI in the short term might lead folks to worry more about the potential risk to their career plus there's also the desire to invest more now to capture AGI gains, leading to donations not increasing to match their potential value in this moment.
Questions-
Any sense of if this might be the case? I have only anecdotal observations.
If it is, how can we tackle this?
Suggestions:
1) Have a commitment device, like pledging with Giving What We Can
2) Take the active choice to donate out of your hands, set up automatic bank transfers on regular basis, separate accounts etc. So motivation isn't needed for the donations to still get done.
3) If you feel like the "why" and emotional connection could help, setup an automation so you get blog posts from organizations that you (indirectly) support are sent to your inbox/DMs - this is the work you are making happen!
Thanks for all the donations you've done over the years!