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Comment by charia | Hacker News Reader

This short story from Aaron Swartz' blog changed my life.

http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/handwritingwall

It played a significant role in shaping my understanding of humanity, charity and what impact as a single human being can have. It was a big factor in why I joined the Effective Altruism movement and donate 10+% of my income yearly. I highly recommend reading it.

It saddens me greatly that person who was so forward thinking and was only looking out for the future of humanity was taken away so young.

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I actually donated all of my income this year, all the money I earned after paying for food and rent. That amounted to about 300k. Saved my ass during taxes yesterday. Owed the government around 80k, but then after I put my charitable donations it looks like I may actually get some money back from the government (which again, I would be donating).

Wow, what promped you to give it all away?

I realize my dependence on comforts made me mentally weak. I become easily irritable and feel exposed and vulnerable when I'm not around my comforts.

Ultimately, it started feeling like I'm paying to become mentally weaker so now I opt to live a life with nothing to lose.

After I no longer care about my income, I can now fearlessly call people out on their bullshit at work and challenge their decisions. It helped me focus more at work and make the right decisions instead of the easy ones.

That's amazing. What did you do about retirement, health insurance, emergency funds?

Health insurance is standard high deductible provided by my company. I don't care about retirement and emergency funds. 3 years ago I cleaned out my 401 and donated it and it actually wasn't so bad. I'm doing the max for tax deductible so that I get some company matching and no taxes but after I quit my job I plan to clean it out again and donate them like I did 3 years ago.

Imo, if you are truly happy, you can find happiness no matter how bad your situation is. So I don't care about the distant future. I optimize for the impact I can make today.

That article is what made me quit a well paid job and start an agency working with charities.

The story is very good and I would recommend everyone to read it because it is eye opening. However, I don't agree with the example given.

* Spoilers *

It is not defnitely the same to say "Kill 10 people so I can keep my earnings" than "I will kill 10 people so I can steal theirs". It is definitely not. I am not saying capitalism is fair, but in the first case I (or whoever is that person) earn their stuff working, while in the second case the outcome may be the same but the path isn't.

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