I learned a lot although I wish i would have been more clear and asked about the tractability of alternative proteins to price parity (instead of just the tractability of "promoting" them). Because:
Plant-based milks are still more expensive (source) and maybe not as nutritious (e.g. less calcium, B12, etc.) so I think they (and many other existing products) may not be a reliable indicator of the potential of this field to make "conventional animal agriculture obsolete".
I think their potential to replace factory farming lies in the viability of them becoming more/just as cheap, tasty, nutritious as conventical animal products but I'd love to know if you (and other experts) think that's probably a pipe dream.
I'd love to be corrected if I'm wrong (although I'm sure you're very busy) and also wanted to say thanks again.
I liked your comment a lot, but I'm pretty sure you misunderstood a big part of the argument because there's a prettybig typo in this post.
In the original recording(4:07) Fredrich argues that advancing alternative proteins should be a significant part of longtermist thinking, but not that they're "one of the best ways at making the long-term future go well" or even "on par with AI risk or bioengineered pandemics".
But this transcript makes it seem like he is saying the opposite in the intro:
"They [alternative proteins] should be the priority..."
I think you still bring up a lot of good points though.
I want to donate as much as I can, but how much is too much/ ultimately counterproductive?
For example
is it worth settling for a noticeably worse (but still adequate) phone service provider for the sake of donating an extra $6 (i.e. 3 bed nets) a month?
Or is sacrificing at that scale too extreme in your opinion?
Good question, I'm looking forward to the replies.
I'm cautiously optimistic because I think the field has a lot of untapped potential but won't reach it without way more public support. For example:
"very little public sector funding has been dedicated to alt protein research and development (R&D) to date... [in 2020 the] public expenditure on clean energy R&D in 2020 was $27 billion, which is 490 times the public investment awarded to alt protein R&D [which was $55 million]." - GFI 2021
The public R&D for alt proteins is a fraction of just the US's annual budget for conventional agriculture agriculture research (about $3.7 billion - Lewis Bollard 2021) and although that bums me out, it also provides an opportunity to turn the tide.
So I think it's too soon to give up on alternative proteins, but way too soon to be complacent.
Thanks so much for your insight!
I learned a lot although I wish i would have been more clear and asked about the tractability of alternative proteins to price parity (instead of just the tractability of "promoting" them). Because:
I'd love to be corrected if I'm wrong (although I'm sure you're very busy) and also wanted to say thanks again.
Do you think that promoting alternative proteins is (by far) the most tractable way to make conventional animal agriculture obsolete?
Do you think increasing public funding and support for alternative proteins is the most pressing challenge facing the industry?
Do you think there is expert consensus on these questions?
I liked your comment a lot, but I'm pretty sure you misunderstood a big part of the argument because there's a pretty big typo in this post.
In the original recording(4:07) Fredrich argues that advancing alternative proteins should be a significant part of longtermist thinking, but not that they're "one of the best ways at making the long-term future go well" or even "on par with AI risk or bioengineered pandemics".
But this transcript makes it seem like he is saying the opposite in the intro:
I think you still bring up a lot of good points though.
this idea sounds good and your website looks great (best of luck with your projects! :)
I'm happy to hear this mess has gone mostly under the radar, thanks for posting
I want to donate as much as I can, but how much is too much/ ultimately counterproductive?
For example
Amazing comment, stuff like this is the reason I joined the EA forum
Lol, thanks but I have nothing to do with Volts (I just share the same name with that guy :)
edit: I changed my username to avoid confusion and besmirching his good name
Good question, I'm looking forward to the replies.
I'm cautiously optimistic because I think the field has a lot of untapped potential but won't reach it without way more public support. For example:
The public R&D for alt proteins is a fraction of just the US's annual budget for conventional agriculture agriculture research (about $3.7 billion - Lewis Bollard 2021) and although that bums me out, it also provides an opportunity to turn the tide.
So I think it's too soon to give up on alternative proteins, but way too soon to be complacent.