The Case for Data-driven Impact
A Firefighter’s Glory
References:
Firefighter statistics calculated based on US NFPA data:
Note: We used fires with injuries as a proxy for fires with potential for fatalities.
The Implications of Inequality
One of the most shocking facts about the world we live in is its extreme inequality. Let's explore a bit of the data behind that inequality, so we can understand its implications.
Major Terms:
References:
The cost for preventing a case of malaria is estimated based on:
Imagine you want to compare how rich people are in different countries. But $10 might buy a lot in one country and very little in another. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) helps solve this problem. It looks at how much common things cost in each country. This way, we can better understand how much people can actually buy with their money, no matter where they live. It's like comparing the real value of money across the world. PPP does this by checking the price of a standard set of items (like food, clothes, and housing) in each country. It then uses these prices to figure out how much money you'd need in different places to buy the same things. See more here.
Purchase Power Parity (PPP)
Why We Begin by Focusing on Nonprofits
Before moving on, a sidenote: our discussion in the beginning of this course is going to primarily center on nonprofits. We believe this is an excellent starting point, as donations are relatively easy to evaluate and generalize from. At least, easy relative to the highly personalized considerations relevant to career choices. Simply put, in the context of nonprofits,
Your impact is easier to:
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Predict
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Track
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Measure
so it’s an accessible context in which we can learn more general impact-focused principles.
But supporting nonprofits is far from the only vehicle for improving the world, and your money isn’t the only way you can help. For instance, in the previous video, we mentioned the value of spending $7 to help others. But this course is not only for people for whom $7 is a trivial amount of money. If you're at the lower end of the income distribution - but have the compassion and self-drive to do this course and explore how you can help others - you likely have other unique opportunities to help those in need. You will often have more context, connections, and insights than most people trying to help. Matched with the right tools to drive effective and scalable impact - you can have an enormous positive influence in assisting communities in need. Including, if relevant, your own community.
As a broader point – we think that no matter where you are participating from, you’re likely to be able to drive much more impact with your career than donations. This is why, as we advance throughout the course, we'll expand our focus to include various ways of making a difference and explore many kinds of opportunities. However, for simplicity, we'll typically begin our exploration of new cause areas or principles with the nonprofit sector, as they are a great instructive learning tool.
Is Goodwill Enough?
To make a positive impact in the world, you need goodwill. We assume that since you are here with us, you have a lot of goodwill! But, is goodwill enough?
References:
From Examples to the Big Picture
Clearly, PlayPumps is far from an ideal charitable opportunity. But what about the nonprofit sector as a whole - does PlayPumps represent the exception, or the rule?
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The Making a Difference program was developed and produced by Impact Focused Education, in collaboration with the Dean of Online Learning at Tel Aviv University.
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