James Snowden
Showing 1–2 of 2 transcripts.
- 80,000 Hours4h 7m
The best global health ideas we’ve heard on the show (from 17 experts)
Luisa, Karen Levy, Dean Spears, Sarah Eustis-Guthrie, Rachel Glennerster, Hannah Ritchie, Lucia Coulter, James Tibenderana, Varsha Venugopal, Alexander Berger, James Snowden, Paul Niehaus, Mushtaq Khan, Elie Hassenfeld, Leah Utyasheva, Shruti Rajagopalan, Claire Walsh, Louisa
Experts analyze global health interventions to reveal critical failures, such as the ineffective PlayPump technology and the underestimated risks of lead poisoning, alongside successful strategies like Sri Lanka's pesticide bans and community-driven vaccination campaigns. The discussion highlights the necessity of rigorous proof-of-concept testing, market-shaping mechanisms like Advanced Market Commitments, and the adaptation of solutions to local social determinants to prevent widespread harm. Furthermore, the event examines ethical tensions in philanthropic metrics, urging donors to prioritize evidence-based policies and long-term government engagement over superficial sustainability narratives.
- 80,000 Hours1h 44m
#37 - GiveWell picks top charities by estimating the unknowable. James Snowden on how they do it.
James Snowden, Keiran Harris, Rob Wiblin
Founded a decade ago by Holden Karnofsky and Ellie Hassenfeld, GiveWell directs approximately $100 million annually to nine evidence-backed charities in international development after applying rigorous cost-effectiveness and transparency criteria. The San Francisco-based organization recently expanded its portfolio to include five new top recommendations while navigating internal ethical debates over suicide prevention and evolving its analytical models to account for leverage and funding effects. With a team of over 20 employees focused on an "epistemic culture," the group continues to explore policy interventions and speculative research opportunities beyond traditional direct service models.