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Information Visualization for Effective Altruism

Pierre Dragicevic

TL;DR

Visualization-the study of computer-supported, visual representations of data meant to support understanding, communication, and decision making can help alleviate the shortage of tools for effective altruism.

Abstract

Effective altruism is a movement whose goal it to use evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible. This movement is becoming influential, but effective altruists still lack tools to help them understand complex humanitarian trade-offs and make good decisions based on data. Visualization-the study of computer-supported, visual representations of data meant to support understanding, communication, and decision makingcan help alleviate this issue. Conversely, effective altruism provides a powerful thinking framework for visualization research that focuses on humanitarian applications.

Information Visualization for Effective Altruism

TL;DR

Visualization-the study of computer-supported, visual representations of data meant to support understanding, communication, and decision making can help alleviate the shortage of tools for effective altruism.

Abstract

Effective altruism is a movement whose goal it to use evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible. This movement is becoming influential, but effective altruists still lack tools to help them understand complex humanitarian trade-offs and make good decisions based on data. Visualization-the study of computer-supported, visual representations of data meant to support understanding, communication, and decision makingcan help alleviate this issue. Conversely, effective altruism provides a powerful thinking framework for visualization research that focuses on humanitarian applications.
Paper Structure (6 sections, 6 figures)

This paper contains 6 sections, 6 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. What is Effective Altruism?
  2. How can EA Inform Visualization
  3. Using Visualization and Psychology to Support EA
  4. Conveying Personal Experiences with Quantitative Facts
  5. Emerging Technologies
  6. CONCLUSION

Figures (6)

  • Figure 1: Interactive web visualization showing deaths at the borders of Southern Europe between 1990 and 2013. Each small dot represents one dead migrant documented by local authorities. Source http://www.borderdeaths.org/.
  • Figure 2: Distribution of the cost-effectiveness of 100+ health interventions, expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per $1,000. Source ord2013moral.
  • Figure 3: Table showing impact metrics for six charities identified as among the most effective by GiveWell in 2021. Source https://www.givewell.org/cost-to-save-a-life.
  • Figure 4: Images from Hans Rosling's talk at TEDWomen 2010. Sources https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_the_magic_washing_machine and Flickr. Left photo by James Duncan Davidson / TED. Used with permission.
  • Figure 5: VR visualization of mass shooting data in the US. Source ivanov2019walk.
  • ...and 1 more figures