The Volunteer’s Dilemma
Learning about something in public, even if everyone already knows it, can change everything—especially when and how we decide to help.
September 28th, 2025
giving
How ‘Proportion Dominance’ Gets in the Way of Effective Giving
When it comes to helping others, it’s important to remember that it’s the size of the drop that matters, not the size of the bucket.
September 03rd, 2019
How to Go to Burning Man Without Going to Burning Man
You don’t have to suffer through a dust storm to experience radical inclusion, generosity, and self-expression. How one behavioral scientist brought Burning Man home.
August 18th, 2019
“Teddies for Timor” and the Perils of Good Intentions
There’s a strong impulse to send physical goods rather than cash after a disaster. But these unsolicited goods can block more critical aid and often end up in landfills.
May 07th, 2019
Spreading the Wealth: The Preference to Distribute Donations
Donors face a tradeoff between helping broadly and helping deeply.
March 19th, 2019
The Hidden Costs of Reminders
Research in partnership with one of the largest charities in Denmark sheds light on why reminders can backfire.
