Let’s begin our journey into the heart of doing good—not just with hope, but with wisdom. Imagine a world where every act of kindness, every dollar donated, and every career choice is guided by both compassion and evidence. This is the world of effective altruism, a movement born from the realization that good intentions do not guarantee good results. In the opening pages, we meet a well-meaning innovator who brought the PlayPump—a water pump powered by children’s play—to rural Africa. The world cheered. Headlines praised the ingenuity. Yet, as months passed, cracks appeared. Children grew tired, women ended up pushing the pump, and the device often broke down, leaving communities worse off than before. The PlayPump saga is not a tale of villainy, but a reminder that caring is not enough; we must care wisely.
Contrast this with another story: a pair of researchers in Kenya who, instead of guessing, tested their ideas with randomized controlled trials. They found that deworming children, a simple and inexpensive intervention, led to a 25% reduction in school absenteeism and, years later, higher incomes and healthier lives. For just a few dollars, a child gained weeks of school and a brighter future. This is the power of evidence—quiet, unglamorous, but transformative.
So what is effective altruism? It’s the honest attempt to answer a simple but profound question: How can I do the most good? It’s a philosophy that combines the warmth of empathy with the cool clarity of data. It’s about asking hard questions, being open to surprising answers, and being willing to change course if the facts demand it. The movement’s five key questions—about scale, effectiveness, neglect, counterfactuals, and chances of success—form the backbone of this journey.
As we set out, remember: the best ways of helping are often counterintuitive, and the difference between good and great can be enormous. Let’s explore how even small choices, guided by evidence, can ripple outward to change the world. Our next step: understanding just how much power each of us holds to make a difference.
