Peter Singer conceived Effective Altruism in earnest to address urgent global suffering, grounding it in a simple moral obligation: using evidence and reason to save as many lives as possible. However, its utilitarian logic prioritizes maximum metrics over structural reform. This opened the door for tech billionaires to adopt the movement as a high-minded shield. By framing massive wealth accumulation as a necessary tool to fund grand, future-oriented causes, elites can weaponize the philosophy to validate unchecked economic power and justify doing whatever they want with their fortunes under the banner of “doing good.”

If anyone was confused for example, of Musk’s motivations, this will clear things up.