The Nonlinear Library EA - Confessions of a Recent GWWC Pledger (Boxing Day Giving?!) by Harry Luk
Dec 25, 2023
16:03
Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Confessions of a Recent GWWC Pledger (Boxing Day Giving?!), published by Harry Luk on December 25, 2023 on The Effective Altruism Forum.
TLDR;
I pledged to Giving What We Can (GWWC) in early September.
But because we transitioned from a dual income to a single income in late June, we had been postponing the 10% tithing.
As a result, we also procrastinated on giving to effective charities, even after pledging in September.
Black Friday (late November) was when we paid off the "donation debt" to Jesus.
We are surrounded by others who sacrificially love and give, and that's why we were empowered to do it too.
We encourage others to pledge or give this giving season, perhaps doing the counter-cultural thing and making Boxing Day about giving.
Introduction
In September of this year, I decided to take the Giving What We Can (GWWC) pledge. As a Christian, I have been tithing 10% for years. With GWWC, I am redirecting these donations to highly effective charities, aiming to support 'the least of these' or interventions that can most cost-effectively improve the world, thereby maximizing the impact of my limited resources. This commitment was more than financial; it was a profound expression of faith. Our family's shift from a stable dual income to a more restrictive single income since late June introduced many uncertainties when I made this pledge.
The transition to a single income in an expensive city like Vancouver has been challenging, especially considering that the three co-founders of
StakeOut.AI, including myself, have been effectively volunteering - Peter for nearly six months part-time, I for almost 3.5 months full-time, and Amy for 1.5 months full-time.
As of this writing, we still haven't fundraised because we have prioritized impact and project advancement. A couple example projects we have completed include:
Contributions to researching the
'scorecard' of AI governance proposals (found on page 3 of The Future of Life Institute's proposal) presented at the first ever international AI Safety Summit.
Co-hosted a Zoom webinar where we advised
Hollywood actors on how AI will likely affect their industry. We also have plans for continued collaboration with Hollywood actors to advocate for banning deepfake pornography, a detrimental issue that has victimized many young schoolgirls.
By sharing this journey, I hope to inspire a conversation about faith, stewardship, and the impact of intentional giving. This post is an exploration of faith and trust, and my understanding of Christian giving as a joyful expression of faith. Giving has brought an unexpected peace and a deeper trust in God's provision.
Our Financial Challenge is a Fraction of What Many Others Endure
"Where do you need God's comfort today?" This question from my Daily Refresh in YouVersion resonated with me, especially after reading 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. This verse speaks volumes about comfort in troubles, a theme that deeply aligns with my current life chapter.
[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. [5] For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
[6] If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. [7] And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
As I mentioned earlier, since early September, I have embarked on a journey of starting a
grassroots movement, the Safer AI Global Grassroots United Front. Honestly, it's been more than a full-tim...
TLDR;
I pledged to Giving What We Can (GWWC) in early September.
But because we transitioned from a dual income to a single income in late June, we had been postponing the 10% tithing.
As a result, we also procrastinated on giving to effective charities, even after pledging in September.
Black Friday (late November) was when we paid off the "donation debt" to Jesus.
We are surrounded by others who sacrificially love and give, and that's why we were empowered to do it too.
We encourage others to pledge or give this giving season, perhaps doing the counter-cultural thing and making Boxing Day about giving.
Introduction
In September of this year, I decided to take the Giving What We Can (GWWC) pledge. As a Christian, I have been tithing 10% for years. With GWWC, I am redirecting these donations to highly effective charities, aiming to support 'the least of these' or interventions that can most cost-effectively improve the world, thereby maximizing the impact of my limited resources. This commitment was more than financial; it was a profound expression of faith. Our family's shift from a stable dual income to a more restrictive single income since late June introduced many uncertainties when I made this pledge.
The transition to a single income in an expensive city like Vancouver has been challenging, especially considering that the three co-founders of
StakeOut.AI, including myself, have been effectively volunteering - Peter for nearly six months part-time, I for almost 3.5 months full-time, and Amy for 1.5 months full-time.
As of this writing, we still haven't fundraised because we have prioritized impact and project advancement. A couple example projects we have completed include:
Contributions to researching the
'scorecard' of AI governance proposals (found on page 3 of The Future of Life Institute's proposal) presented at the first ever international AI Safety Summit.
Co-hosted a Zoom webinar where we advised
Hollywood actors on how AI will likely affect their industry. We also have plans for continued collaboration with Hollywood actors to advocate for banning deepfake pornography, a detrimental issue that has victimized many young schoolgirls.
By sharing this journey, I hope to inspire a conversation about faith, stewardship, and the impact of intentional giving. This post is an exploration of faith and trust, and my understanding of Christian giving as a joyful expression of faith. Giving has brought an unexpected peace and a deeper trust in God's provision.
Our Financial Challenge is a Fraction of What Many Others Endure
"Where do you need God's comfort today?" This question from my Daily Refresh in YouVersion resonated with me, especially after reading 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. This verse speaks volumes about comfort in troubles, a theme that deeply aligns with my current life chapter.
[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. [5] For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
[6] If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. [7] And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
As I mentioned earlier, since early September, I have embarked on a journey of starting a
grassroots movement, the Safer AI Global Grassroots United Front. Honestly, it's been more than a full-tim...