Four years ago, I decided to donate at least 10% of my income going forward. Here are four reasons why.

Any single reason below would probably be enough on its own. Together, they make this one of the clearest positive and rewarding decisions I've ever made.

1. I think it's the right thing to do

I follow Peter Singer's arguments. From any consistent moral framework I can support, I end up in the same place: given the coincidence of being born in a rich country, I should be helping others significantly. I'd have to do serious logical and moral gymnastics to avoid this conclusion, and I'm not interested in that kind of self-deception.

2. I actually care

Straightforward: when I read about someone's specific situation, their health, their opportunities, their constraints, I naturally want to help. It takes active effort not to care.

There's a moving post on the EA Forum that captures this: "Somehow, a single paragraph of explanation can transform someone from nameless and faceless to someone that I deeply care about. When I hear this person's story, I feel willing to give up a nice vacation or two to help them."

I don't need to convince [...]

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Outline:

(00:26) 1. I think it's the right thing to do

(00:52) 2. I actually care

(01:34) 3. It grounds my everyday work

(02:36) 4. I thought it was radical (and now I don't)

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.