This may sound a bit odd to some of you, or it may make perfect sense to all, I don't know.

I think a very effective way to save money, increase morale/reduce burnout, increase EA accessibility, etc. would be to start a utilitarian intentional community with a business.

First off, the commune. How many of you utilitarians does this feel appealing to? It could make life as an effective altruist much easier and much more effective. Rather than go over it now, I'm going to stop and see how many of you express interest.

I feel a little bit odd asking these questions to some of the more intellectually honed individuals on the planet; I suspect that is mostly cultural conditioning.
1. Does/could this appeal to you?
2. Would you be willing to participate if we conclude it is the utilitarian thing to do?

Some parts of the "Effective Altruist" community already basically do this. For example, see Oxford.

Thank you

peterhurford wrote:Some parts of the "Effective Altruist" community already basically do this. For example, see Oxford.

Yes, sort of, but that's not quite what I'm talking about. For starters, I have no idea how I would go about joining them. Also, they are not on the Intentional Communities Directory, which could represent one of the most important aspect of my proposal (i.e. easy, comfortable access to Effective Altruism for the masses).

inQuestion wrote:For starters, I have no idea how I would go about joining them.

All you really would have to do is move to Oxford, England, but securing some sort of internship / employment in the Centre for Effective Altruism (including Giving What We Can and/or 80K Hours) or the Future of Humanity Institute would make things much easier.

peterhurford wrote:All you really would have to do is move to Oxford, England

So, I'm a bit confused on what you're saying here. By moving there I would be a member in what sense? Or, do you mean that they're very willing to take members?
Also, to what extent are they an intentional community? Shared housing? shared meals? Shared labor? Shared income?

inQuestion wrote:So, I'm a bit confused on what you're saying here. By moving there I would be a member in what sense? Or, do you mean that they're very willing to take members?

I actually wouldn't say they're all that willing. To get the kind of community you want, I think the only way would be to intern.

~

inQuestion wrote:Also, to what extent are they an intentional community? Shared housing? shared meals? Shared labor? Shared income?

Shared housing, definitely; shared meals, usually; shared labor, I don't know what you mean by this but everyone did chores while I was there. Shared income, no. If you work for [Leverage Research](leverageresearch.org), though, you can get all those things (including shared income) in an arguably EA setting.

I'm not super-sure what you are looking for in an intentional community, so I want to be careful not to lead you astray.