---
title: "Good thoughts from Robert Wiblin "John recently wrote that effective…"
date: 2015-02-25
source: facebook
type: Archer T. Ships updated his status.
---

# Good thoughts from Robert Wiblin "John recently wrote that effective…

*February 25, 2015 · Facebook*

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Good thoughts from Robert Wiblin\
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\"John recently wrote that effective altruists should try to dress well. I think this point can be generalised to \'effective altruists should try to seem cool\'. Not at any cost of course, but if there are easy opportunities to seem like an impressive/respectable/fun/well-liked person, we should take them.\
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We are trying to convince others to change their career plans and life priorities. A big part of this is making the rational case that adopting an effective altruist mindset will i) make their life more fulfilling ii) help them achieve their goal of improving the world iii) be more moral. But we are all more likely to take advice from people who seem, well\... awesome. It is easy to see why this is rational: someone who appears miserable, unpopular and unsuccessful by normal measures probably isn\'t someone whose footsteps we want to follow, however compelling their arguments might sound. As a result, we will be a more appealing community to join if we:\
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i) Are clearly having fun and feeling fulfilled\
ii) Have good interpersonal relationships, both platonic and romantic\
iii) Are friendly, funny, relaxed, engaging and otherwise socially savvy\
iv) Have impressive CVs\
v) Seem smart, wise or creative\
vi) Are attractive, healthy and full of energy\
vii) Are generally liked or respected.\
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This consideration should pull us closer towards common sense behaviour across the board. It\'s another way that there is not so much conflict between \'being moral\' and investing in your own welfare than there might first appear. It applies especially to people who are in the public eye. It also seems to be advice followed by most groups that grow, especially prosthelytizing religions.\"
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