If I recall correctly, the number of worldwide abortions currently is higher than the number of deaths (from all other causes) at around 73 million vs 62 million a year. Obviously this is due to demographics and will probably change in the future, but I do think it lends credence that the scope of the problem could be (assuming abortion is wrong) ginormous. Besides questions about whether it's right or wrong, though, I'm personally unsure that it's neglected or tractable. 

The only thing I could imagine saving it on that front is some completely different approach, like GFI has for animals. I couldn't imagine what that looks like, though. Maybe contraceptives really is the only way? Otherwise, perhaps reducing the costs of taking a child to term, but that then sounds a lot less tractable/neglected. Presumably most anti-abortion funding is also concentrated in wealthier areas. 

I see where you're coming from, but I can't help but wonder if a more cheerful approach isn't also possible and perhaps even more conducive to impact. Julia Wise's thoughts in http://www.givinggladly.com/2013/06/cheerfully.html and also especially Nate Soares' https://mindingourway.com/detach-the-grim-o-meter/ would perhaps go in that direction. Basically: Being grim kind of sucks long-term. And maybe being more positive will lead to more impact.

But without further empirical data this is just speculation on my part :P

(Just as a couple of thoughts that are better than my n=1: In community building the recommendation is opportunity, rather than obligation, framing, so it probably works better? I recall there also being some studies on advertisements with negative/positive/humorous tone, and the latter two had better effects. Probably low external validity though. Also, though, comedians like John Oliver probably have a much higher reach compared to the usual by just being, well, entertaining and fun.)

Thanks a lot for the encouragement! You'd certainly be right with that haha, but I am gladly willing to guide my degree choice along different lines for it to be more effective.  Perhaps I subscribe a bit too much too 'tabula rasa' thinking haha but I've tended to get passionate about whatever I spend a lot of time on.

Hey there!

First of all, I want to thank you for this extremely extensive and well-thought out message, this is extremely helpful, thank you very much! As for the university, with the degree that I will have the ETH Zurich makes most sense, which is the furthest one can go in the country unfortunately. 

Ahh yes the Andrew Ng course is great, I'm still on it but that's a great idea, and I'll check out the  OpenAI course as well! 

I also want to thank you a lot for your thoughts on degree choice (also in the context of AI safety), that was my first priority to figure out - and your thoughts on that were very helpful. 

The note on global priorities research was also really interesting! That was actually a really good point, for some reason I had written GPR off in my mind, but it is actually a great idea. Perhaps the proximity to Geneva and EU citizenship may be useful in that regard

I've only just started digging into this post because it is so rich, so I will definitely be checking out more!

Hey there, new to the forum!

I'm leaving highschool next year here and am wondering about what to study at uni to have a higher impact. For context, I live (and would like to stay for the foreseeing future) near Zurich Switzerland. I highly enjoy math and physics (though anything that's quite analytical is pretty fun) , but also program a bit in my free time for fun. As such, I wanted to study mathematics and perhaps go into mathematical physics, but I am aware it is not as impactful as is perhaps possible. AI risk seems like a very interesting topic, but most research seems to happen in the US - and requires a degree in informatics, something I'm not too sure yet whether it is my cup of tea (perhaps I'm a bit too much of an ivory tower math enthusiast ^^). In any case, I highly enjoy most things that are very 'intellectually' stimulating and also difficult.

Would anyone have any recommendations for someone in this state of life - perhaps in terms of study choices or where to go from here? Thanks a lot in advance and looking forward to snooping around on the forum!