Wealth, Poverty, and Morality

by SecondRateMind 226 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Bungi Bill

  A very informative read is to be found in the New York Review of June 7 2012 (www.nybooks.com. 2012/06/07).

  In this, the reviewer (Jared Diamond) examines the work of Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty.” The authors are very much of the opinion that these differences in wealth distribution, country by country, are solely the result of good or bad “institutions”.

  As the reviewer goes on to show, however, when it comes to the question of why nations differ in wealth, “The factors are multiple and diverse”. There is certainly no “silver bullet”! The one advocated by the OP would only serve to drag everybody down to the same level of poverty.

  (I have witnessed this in Papua New Guinea, where the traditional “Wantok” system, when used in a modern industrial society, only serves to impoverish everybody).
• 

  nonjwspouse

  SRM, here is a link to a rather lengthy, but very good speech. In it he describes the preado( unsure of the correct spelling, sorry) distribution. This describes the top % of wealth. This link begins at the point ( or near) in which he describes this universal distribution. Also a bit earlier in the discussion he touches on what Simon previously mentioned, productivity. Something like 10% of the people in any given job, situation etc., are the most productive ones. If the link doesn't take you right there it begins around the 20 min mark. https://youtu.be/-5RCmu-HuTg?t=28m31s
• 

  sir82

  According to SRM's OP eternal torment awaits those who fail to follow his economic plan - but it's all voluntary!

  Just like the JWs.

  "God doesn't force anyone to do anything. We all have free will. Of course, if you choose not to join us in worship of our loving God, that loving God will slaughter you and your family with flaming hailstones any day now."
  
  
• 

  nonjwspouse

  found the wiki page for de solla Price - Price's law scaling/distrabution

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_J._de_Solla_Price
• 

  MeanMrMustard

  https://youtu.be/lNAp7WDxrcU
• 

  joey jojo

  I'm at work so I haven't been able to read every reply. I'm sure that what I believe has probably already been said but here goes anyway.

  Wealth is relative.

  What is ' too much wealth'?

  I agree with many that have said that giving money to ' poor ' people will solve nothing because if it did work there should be no poverty in any first world country with a social security network.

  Wealth is a mindset.

  The reason many are poorer than they should be is because they buy themselves luxuries first and try to save or invest second. Many spend way too much on takeaway meals, smoking, drinking,drugs, gambling, clothes - you name it. Try telling a rich guy that became rich by working 100 hours a week for 20 yrs and didn't waste his money on instant gratification that he should give most of his wealth away to a family that eats at mcdonalds most nights because mum is too lazy to cook.

  Your post is a good one that proposes a problem that seems to have a very simple solution, but in reality, is a complex issue.

  I should add that most first world countries already donate hundreds of millions of dollars to less fortunate countries every year.

  I could go on but I have to keep working now :).
• 

  nonjwspouse

  ^^^ what joey jojo said

  MMM, I am quite taken with Jordan Peterson's excellent speeches, and very well thought out ideas. That was a good clip.He is so correct that we need to encourage more children to value the trades.

  I am also quite taken with the " Dirty Jobs" guy, Mike Rowe, and his foundation, MikeroweWORKS, which provides scholarships for those who go into trade work. Mike is also an excellent writer, and storyteller,( his podcast " The way I heard it" is fantastic), on top of his highly entertaining TV personality and exceptional good looks. ( Can you tell I have a celebrity crush on him? haha ok TMI)

  University is only one successful path. The others seem to be pushed aside as second class, when they should be just as celebrated. The trades are SO needed, and currently provide many jobs.