{"items": [{"author": "Sarah", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/619028140522?comment_id=619034348082", "anchor": "fb-619034348082", "service": "fb", "text": "K, but there's an extra dimension that isn't being considered in this tradeoff, and in my mind, it's the most fascinating of all. If I was going to reorganize my life according to these principles (which to a certain extent, I do, as we all do) I would place the largest priority of all on 1. finding the things I could do - excel in, even - that would maximize happiness both for others AND myself, and 2. explore the space between service to others and the deep joy that it can bring to one's own life. (e.g. Dalai Lama stuff.) I DO think that if something doesn't make you happy in either of these ways, you're probably not going to be able to make it work long term, so why not invest in becoming as skilled as possible in those areas that you will be able to sustain? Um, sorry for the rant, by the way, and hi.", "timestamp": "1373130507"}, {"author": "Sarah", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/619028140522?comment_id=619034532712", "anchor": "fb-619034532712", "service": "fb", "text": "(PS - I fully understand that sometimes it's a tradeoff, I just think that one should always look for the extra dimensions before resigning oneself!)", "timestamp": "1373130587"}, {"author": "Daniel", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/619028140522?comment_id=619040156442", "anchor": "fb-619040156442", "service": "fb", "text": "Sure, but you can't be doing utilitarian expected value computations every time you decide to take a shower or commute to work. What you should probably do is decide to spend X on charity, then find the best charities to donate the X to, and at the same time figure out how to use the remaining money to maximize personal happiness. The relevant statistics to keep in mind are 1) your current derivative of personal happiness and 2) the current derivative of global wellbeing, both with respect to dollars.", "timestamp": "1373134602"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/619028140522?comment_id=619041972802", "anchor": "fb-619041972802", "service": "fb", "text": "@Daniel: \"decide to spend X on charity, then find the best charities to donate the X to, and at the same time figure out how to use the remaining money to maximize personal happiness\"
Agreed. But if there are some personal choices (ex: kidney donation, veganism) that may be in the same league as donating to effective charities, you want to consider those too.", "timestamp": "1373135923"}]}