Episode 4 | Burn the Math, Save the Girl: Why We Need a New Parable

In this probing and philosophical episode of And We Feel Fine, Beth Rudden and Katie Smith unravel the myth of effective altruism. Starting with the well-known "drowning girl" parable, they trace the roots of utilitarian thinking and its influence on Silicon Valley billionaires and AI ethics. Through a mix of humor, critique, and care, they call out the harm of individualistic philanthropy, the false promise of "earning to give," and the moral sleight-of-hand in today's tech race.

Instead, they offer humanism—not as a perfect alternative, but as a path grounded in dignity, collaboration, and embodied belonging. This episode is a rallying cry for new stories, shared responsibility, and sacred scholarship.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• The parable of the drowning girl and the rise of effective altruism
• Utilitarianism vs. humanism: what's the real moral framework?
• Billionaire philanthropy, moral math, and systemic harm
• The hidden cost of AI: water, power, and planetary resources
• Collective care vs. the myth of the lone savior
• The case for consent, rituals, and shared decision-making
• Why we need a new parable—and more than one

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Effective altruism often cloaks power in moral math.
• Human beings thrive in collaboration, not competition.
• Ethics without context or consent fails the people it claims to serve.
• Parables shape belief—and we need better ones rooted in care.
• AI must be accountable to those it claims to serve, not just those who build it.

⏱️ Chapters (Timestamps):

• 00:00 The Parable of the Drowning Girl
• 02:30 Utilitarianism and Its Consequences
• 06:00 “Earn to Give” and Billionaire Logic
• 10:00 AI Arms Race and Hidden Costs
• 19:00 Collaboration Over Competition
• 27:00 Consent, Power, and Giving Circles
• 34:00 Religion, Ritual, and the Reclamation of Space
• 44:00 Humanism, Hope, and the Case for New Parables
• 54:00 Sacred Scholarship and Peer-Reviewed Progress