Social Change Efforts Need More Than ‘Stop Energy.’ | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 1 month ago

The Elitist Philanthropy of So-Called Effective Altruism (2013)

The superficially enticing “logic” of effective altruism ultimately leads to a moralistic, hyper-rationalistic, top-down approach to philanthropy that can kill the very altruistic spirit it claims to foster. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 2 years ago

Web3 and the Trap of ‘For Good’

Because decentralization doesn’t necessarily mean redistributing power, Web3 must make values integral to the architecture. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 2 years ago

Catalytic Philanthropy

Despite spending vast amounts of money and helping to create the world’s largest nonprofit sector, philanthropists have fallen far short of solving America’s most pressing problems. What the nation needs is “catalytic philanthropy”—a new approach tha … | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 2 years ago

Burnout from an Organizational Perspective

Instead of pressuring already-stressed individuals to fix themselves, true wellness requires organization-level interventions. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 3 years ago

Measuring Social Value (2010)

Too many people believe social value is objective, fixed, and stable, when in fact it is subjective, malleable, and variable. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 4 years ago

The Case for Causal AI

Using artificial intelligence to predict behavior can lead to devastating policy mistakes. Health and development programs must learn to apply causal models that better explain why people behave the way they do to help identify the most effective levers for change. A feature … | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 4 years ago

The Technology Treadmill

Peter Gluckman and Mark Hanson’s Ingenious applies concepts and metaphors from evolutionary biology to explain the impact of technological innovation on human life. A book review from the Spring 2020 issue. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 4 years ago

The Bias of ‘Professionalism’ Standards

Professionalism has become coded language for white favoritism in workplace practices that more often than not leave behind people of color. This is the fourth of 10 articles in a special series about diversity, equity, and inclusion. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 4 years ago

Global Inequality: A New Approach for the Age of Globalization (2016)

This passage from Global Inequality argues that we should focus less on inequalities between specific identity groups and more on reducing overall wealth gaps. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 5 years ago

History Predicts the Consequences of Today’s Digital Revolution

Economist Carl Benedikt Frey offers a refreshingly human-centered analysis of technological progress in The Technology Trap: Capital, Labor, and Power in the Age of Automation. A book review from the Fall 2019 issue. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 5 years ago

The Science of What Makes People Care (SSIR)

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@ssir.org | 5 years ago

The Curb Cut Effect (2017)

Laws and programs designed to benefit vulnerable groups, such as the disabled or people of color, often end up benefiting all of society. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 6 years ago

Social Innovation from the Inside Out (2014)

Through "inscaping," people in a social purpose organization can excel at developing new ideas and practices. Includes special online extras. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 6 years ago

Artificial Intelligence as a Force for Good

Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence offer enormous benefits for mission-driven organizations and could eventually revolutionize how they work. | Continue reading


@ssir.org | 6 years ago